How healthy are your teeth? Although many people are quick to underestimate their dental health, the fact of the matter is that there are a lot of different elements that play into overall dental wellness. From how often you brush and floss to how regularly you attend regular checkups, it is important to stay in close communication with your dentist, especially if you come down with a new symptom. The purpose of this website is to help people to understand and resolve dental issues, since small symptoms can lead to big problems down the road. Check out these posts to learn more about dental care.
A cosmetic dentist has several ways to improve the appearance of your teeth. If you have cosmetic procedures done on your skin to remove wrinkles or tighten your skin, your teeth may still give away your age when you smile. That's because your teeth and gums change as you age. Here are some things a cosmetic dentist might do when you want a younger-looking smile.
Make Your Teeth Whiter
Teeth naturally get darker as you age unless you have them whitened. A cosmetic dentist may consider whitening procedures or recommend porcelain veneers. Veneers are a good option when your teeth need other corrections too, such as making the length even or covering a slightly twisted tooth. A bright, white smile can give you a more youthful appearance, and your dentist can choose the best method for achieving a white smile depending on the condition of your teeth.
Fill Tooth Gaps
Missing teeth allow your cheeks to sink in, and this makes you look older. A full face is more youthful since a sunken appearance is associated with aging. This is due to tooth loss and a loss of facial fat that happens as you age. By filling the gaps in your teeth, your cheeks or lips have a fuller look. This can be achieved with dental implants, a bridge, or partial denture that places a crown in each gap so you have a full set of teeth.
Lengthen Gum Tissue
Your gums recede as you age. This gives your teeth a long look that's associated with aging. A cosmetic dentist might consider gum grafts that lengthen your gums so they look more like they did when you were younger. Your dentist can make your teeth look longer, shorter, wider, or straighter with the help of veneers, gum surgery, or other dental treatments.
Improve Tooth Alignment
If you have teeth that are out of alignment, it can affect the appearance of your face. Since the bones in your face change as you get older, misaligned teeth might make the changes look more apparent. Even slight changes are noticeable since your facial skin rests on your teeth and affects the way you look. Your dentist might suggest wearing clear aligner trays if they think it would improve the function as well as the appearance of your teeth and face.
When you visit the cosmetic dentist, talk to them about what you want to achieve with your smile makeover. If you want your teeth and gums to look younger and enhance your facial cosmetic work, let the dentist know so they can choose procedures that give you a fresher look that may take more than simple teeth whitening alone.
To learn more about how a cosmetic dentist can help you, contact a professional near you.