Like the rest of the body, the teeth go through certain changes as a person ages. Unfortunately, many of these changes can make people less confident in their smiles, which can make it harder for them to socialize and succeed at work. Luckily, cosmetic dental treatments have allowed millions of patients to spruce up their smiles so that they can happily grin at friends, family, and strangers. Here’s how aging can affect your smile as well as how a cosmetic dentist can help.

How Do Teeth Change with Age?

The aging process changes the smile in a variety of ways. A few of these include:

• Weakening muscles and ligaments: As the muscles and connective tissue get older, they grow weaker and begin to droop. Since the teeth are held in place with ligaments, this can affect their alignment and cause them to shift out of place over time.
• Years of use: After decades of use, the teeth can wear down significantly. They may also develop stains due to frequent consumption of tobacco or foods and beverages that are high in pigments and dyes such as coffee, tea, red wine, colas, and berries.
• Bone loss: As the dental arches narrow with age, the teeth can become crowded or misaligned.

How Can My Cosmetic Dentist Help?

Luckily, your cosmetic dentist offers a variety of treatments that can address these and other issues. A few of these cosmetic dental treatments include:

• Veneers: These thin shells made from porcelain or ceramic can be placed on teeth to cover up cracks, chips, stains, and gaps. In some cases, they can even treat alignment issues without orthodontics.
• Cosmetic Dental Bonding: Using composite resin, the same substance used for tooth-colored fillings, your dentist can cover up or fill in defects like chips, cracks, stains, and gaps. This procedure is quite affordable and can be completed in minutes during a routine dental visit.
• Teeth Whitening: Your dentist can provide you with whitening treatments that are far superior to any whitening products you can find at the store. They come in in-office procedures that can be completed in about an hour or take-home kits that can be completed over the course of two weeks.

Age doesn’t have to take away your youthful smile. Consulting with your cosmetic dentist can determine if any of these treatments are right for you.

About the Author

Dr. Lindsey Hammond earned her dental degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Association and the Oklahoma Dental Association. Her office in Tulsa, OK offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To schedule a cosmetic dental consultation, contact her office online or dial (918) 254-8686.