Nothing boosts your confidence like a healthy and youthful smile. Unfortunately, with age, our teeth tend to lose their natural glossiness and colour. So how exactly can you maintain the natural appearance of your teeth even as you get older? Keep reading to find out some of the secrets to preserving your youthful smile.
Regular brushing and flossing
This cannot be overemphasized. A clean mouth is one of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain a youthful smile. Debris from food and plaque build-up can damage your teeth, leading to issues like cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease (which can become a tell-tale sign of aging). The risk for all these conditions also tends to become higher as we get older. A good recommendation would be to brush twice each day and floss at least once daily.
Smoking is the enemy
Apart from being dangerous to your overall health, smoking is one of the top causes of dental issues like; gum disease (receding gums), tooth discolouration, and tooth loss. In addition to these issues, smoking can make it hard for you to get tooth replacement procedures like dental implants.
Avoid acidic and teeth-staining foods/drinks
One of the signs of aging is teeth discolouration and stains from years of consuming teeth-staining foods and drinks like; coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, cola, and dark-coloured fruit juices. Acidic foods like soda, vinegar, and white wine, even though colourless can damage your tooth enamel and also stain your teeth. Although it is highly unlikely that you can cut out all these foods completely, a good recommendation would be to keep them at a minimum and always ensure to properly rinse out your mouth after consuming them.
Schedule regular visits with your dentist/dental hygienist
Do not wait until something is broken or you feel the pain to visit your dentist. A good at-home dental routine is great, but you have to combine it with regular dental exams carried out by professionals. During these dental exams, your dentist/dental hygienist will carry out a full workup of your overall oral health, including examining your teeth, jaw & gums and checking for any potential issues. Be sure to read reviews and choose a trusted dental practice. A reputable Sutton Dentist like Sherwood Park Dental is a great choice for your dental requirements.
Your hygienist/dentist will also carry out professional cleaning and polishing of your teeth to remove any hardened plaque that has built up over time. These visits are also an opportunity for your dentist to review your at-home hygiene routine and discuss better ways you can improve your oral health.
Get dental restorations if needed
Damaged teeth can make your smile look tired and old. If you have any issues with your teeth, do not wait around- get them fixed immediately. There are several options for teeth restoration available such as; teeth whitening (for stained and coloured teeth), dental implants (missing tooth), Invisalign (for straightening misaligned and crooked teeth), dental/composite bonding (for fixing chipped teeth and restoring the size and shape of your tooth) and so many more.
Improve your overall health
Treating dental issues can be harder if your body is strained by other health conditions. In fact, conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure have been known to affect the healthy appearance of your smile. So it is important to address these conditions and try to improve your overall health. Exercise, proper diet, and staying hydrated are some of the effective ways you can improve the appearance of your teeth/gum and achieve a more youthful smile
Conclusion:
There is no reason for you to lose your youthful smile as you age. With a few lifestyle changes, you will start to notice a significant change in your smile, but it is important to bear in mind that these changes won’t happen overnight, and they will require some effort on your part.
