As you age, you expect wrinkles and gray hairs to begin to show the passing of time. While you are prepared for changes to your appearance, you may not expect one area to cause you to appear older. Your smile can make you look years older than your true age. Tooth discoloration and oral health issues can cause your teeth to darken, which can make you feel insecure while looking older. However, you can turn back the hands of time with your dentist in Reston and with simple changes to your daily life.
DOES YOUR SMILE SHOW YOUR TRUE AGE?
Tooth discoloration is a natural part of the aging process. However, the severity of it is also impacted by your oral hygiene and lifestyle choices. To help prevent the darkening of your enamel, limit your contact with stain-causing substances, like coffee, teas, and berries. In addition, if you smoke, stop tobacco use as soon as possible to prevent your teeth from turning yellow or brown. If you have discoloration, you can restore a bright, white smile with a professional whitening treatment from your dentist.
AVOID SUGAR
Although you cannot avoid sugar altogether, it is best to limit your consumption of it. Not only is it bad for your waistline, but it can also lead to dental issues, like tooth decay, as the enamel becomes weakened. If the teeth become damaged, it will hurt the appearance of your smile. It is best to cut back on snacking, but if you need a little something in between meals, choose a healthier alternative to chips and candy. Instead, choose low fat dairy products or vegetables.
KEEP YOUR MOUTH MOIST
As you age, dry mouth becomes a common concern due to medications, like those that control blood pressure. The dryness causes bacteria levels to increase, raising your risk for bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. To protect your smile, chew sugarless gum to keep your mouth moist.
GET A YOUTHFUL SMILE
If your smile is not showing your real age, your dentist can create a customized treatment plan to help turn back the hands of time. If you are ready to improve the appearance of your teeth, schedule a dental exam with Smiles By Myles to get a youthful look.
