As we grow older, our teeth change, and taking care of oral health becomes important. The World Health Organisation suggests that oral health plays a major role in determining our quality of life and well-being. However, many people ignore their dental issues, and doing that isn’t recommended, especially when you are aging.
Patients should visit a dentist at least twice a year to get regular dental checkups that can help them detect problems with their teeth early. Having a bright, confident smile can make you look good at any age. Unfortunately, many middle-aged seniors have concerns about their oral health and even feel self-conscious about their smiles’ wear and tear over the years. Several people are already experiencing issues with their teeth, and they are looking for solutions to restore their smiles.
Anti-aging dentistry is a modern way to achieve a beautiful smile, and it can also help you get a better appearance on your face. It is also long-lasting, which means that you can enjoy its results for many years.
What Is Anti-Aging Dentistry?
Anti-aging dentistry refers to the use of cosmetic dental procedures to improve the overall appearance of your teeth, so you can get a sparkling smile. It also supports your facial structure, allowing you to look better.
What is the role of Anti-Aging dentistry for seniors?
Your oral health connects with your overall health and wellness, which means that when you want to stay fit and healthy, it is important that you start taking care of your teeth. Maintaining healthy teeth for seniors is a challenging task, especially when you are aging. There are cases where seniors face dental problems even after following the proper dental routine and brushing their teeth twice a day. Hence, it would be best to visit a dentist for regular dental checkups to prevent your issues from getting worse.
What are the types of Anti-Aging dentistry?
Anti-aging dentistry is divided into multiple types because every person has different issues with their teeth, and when they want to fix that, they require more than one type of solution. Some of the most common anti-aging dental procedures include:
- Dental Implant
- Teeth Whitening
- Porcelain Veeners
- Porcelain Crowns
- Orthodontic Treatments (Invisalign, braces, and more)
How to maintain a youthful appearance with the help of dentistry?
1. Teeth Whitening
No one likes having yellow-stained teeth. Unfortunately, many people get them because our teeth start losing their natural whiteness over time. People who consume coffee and wine have higher chances of experiencing this since both of these foods stain your teeth gradually over time.
A cosmetic dentistry procedure known as teeth whitening can help you to solve this problem by whitening your teeth. It is one of the most effective dental procedures that doesn’t cause you any pain and allows you to enhance your smile.
Going with the teeth whitening treatment can also help you by giving a significant boost to your self-confidence.
2. Reshape your smile
Braces can help you with fixing the alignment of your teeth, and yes, they aren’t just meant for teens. While many adults may be leery of getting a mouth full of metal options, Invisalign and Ceramic Braces can help you align your teeth without anyone noticing.
Therefore, when you want to reshape your smile and move your teeth into their original position, you should definitely consider getting Invisalign braces.
3. Correcting Tooth Length
Our gums can move on the top teeth or down on the bottom teeth as we start aging. Since these gums keep receding, they reveal more areas of our teeth, making the tooth get longer.
Therefore, correcting your tooth length becomes important if you face this problem.
4. Orthodontics: Look Younger With Straight Teeth
Going for orthodontics is the best option to straighten your teeth. It helps to enhance your teeth; however, this treatment option might not be suitable for all seniors. The process includes installing braces on the top of your teeth so that your teeth can move back in their proper alignment.
Address Missing Teeth
Solution 1: Dental Bridge
Going with Dental Bridges is the best solution to fill the gaps that your missing teeth leave. A dental bridge can be used when you have two healthy teeth near the missing space in your mouth.
A pontic that looks exactly like your original teeth is fitted in the area between your teeth to fill the gap in your mouth. Since the pontic is attached to crowns that are placed on the healthy teeth, it creates a dental bridge.
Photo by Gustavo Fring
Solution 2: Dental Implants
Replacement of your missing teeth with Dental Implants has been popular for a while, and it can easily help you fill the gaps in your mouth. It provides you with artificial teeth that look natural and feel secure. The main advantage of getting a dental implant is that you don’t have to touch the natural teeth which are next to it. It also helps to restore your normal chewing and speaking functions.
Address gum recession
As you start aging, your gums may recede due to aggressive brushing or poor dental hygiene habits over the years. Therefore, recommend that you switch to an electric toothbrush to prevent gum recession since it can help you to get rid of your aggressive brushing.
If you already have receded gums, then you must get a gum graft or any other procedures done as suggested by your dentist.
Conclusion
If you wish to improve the appearance of your smile and overall face, then visiting a dentist might be a good idea. Having healthy teeth makes your smile look better and helps you with your chewing problems. Therefore, you must take care of your oral health when you want to live a healthy lifestyle!
Reference URLs:
- World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health#tab=tab_1
- https://www.smiledesigndentistry.com/anti-aging-dentistry/
- https://www.saloandsalo.com/anti-aging-dentistry-how-it-can-help-your-smile/
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/g20472554/9-anti-aging-tricks-for-a-younger-smile/
- https://www.tompkinsdental.com/blog/the-benefits-of-anti-aging-dentistry-treatments
- https://www.trucaredentistry.com/blog/top-5-cosmetic-dentistry-options-for-seniors-to-restore-their-beautiful-smile/
Who is the author?
Dr. Satish Pai is an orthodontist and Ivy League-trained dentist who has served as a faculty at Columbia University. He believes a perfect smile not only makes a person look great but feel great.
He is dedicated to providing the best orthodontic treatments to his patients. Furthermore, he also writes to educate people about everything orthodontics and the importance of correctly aligned teeth along with good oral health.
