Some of us who were teenagers in the 1980s may have been feeling a little nostalgic these past few days especially since the Retrolicious Concert last weekend featuring Rick Astley, Debbie Gibson and Johnny Hates Jazz.
Time certainly flies when you are busy with school, work, kids and other activities. Although memories of younger and carefree days are still vivid, regrettably for most of us, our physical appearance may not quite match our “young at heart” outlook as the years go by.
Did you know that your teeth and smile line also play an important part in how youthful you look?
Many people equate growing old with tooth loss but that need not be the case today. There are ways to prevent tooth loss from caries, decay and gum problems – just brush and floss your teeth regularly, and ensure that you see your dentist twice yearly for check-ups to address any outstanding problems before they grow bigger and more expensive (and complex) to treat.
Missing Teeth
For those who are missing one or several teeth, you can restore your youthful appearance by replacing the missing teeth with dentures, bridges or implants. Research has shown that your teeth have an economic value and thus, one can arguably improve one’s economic situation with a better smile.
Wear and Tear
We use our teeth to chew food, and thus, our teeth work very hard from the time that we first start solid food as toddlers to the time that we are grey. It is not surprising, therefore, that teeth do get worn down as we age. Those who are under stress may also end up grinding their teeth, which exacerbates the problem. Worn down teeth also make the face look shorter.
Crowns can be used to address this solution and also to reinforce the teeth. Zirconium crowns combine the best of both worlds – they are extremely strong… and still look, feel and function like natural teeth.
Stained Teeth
Teeth that were once white can become yellow and stained over time, due to consumption of coffee, tea, red wine or foods that stain. Yellow or stained teeth have an ageing effect. Making your teeth several shades whiter can make your smile more youthful.
As a first step, make sure you see your dentist regularly for the routine scaling and polishing – sometimes, this is all that a person needs to get their teeth back to their dazzling condition again…
Sunken Face
Our teeth and gums provide support to our face. When our teeth are missing and gums recede, bone loss also occurs. The result is that the person may look much older than their chronological age.
Dentures, bridges and implants will help in providing support to the facial structure. Consult a periodontist (gum specialist) if you have receding gums to see what your treatment options are.
