Unsurprisingly, aging may leave some signs on our bodies as time passes. And our oral health and teeth are no exception. Everyone has their own self-care routine to hold on to their youthful looks for as long as possible, whether it’s a strict vegan diet, scheduled workout routine, coloring a grey strand, or skincare rituals. But it’s important not to overlook our mouth and teeth through regular care routine. The good news is that we’re sharing five tips to turn back the clock on your smile and enjoy your youthful sparkle as the years go by.
1. Watch Your Dietary Choices
As we get older, our teeth go through several changes. One significant change is that the enamel – the outer, hard, and white layer of our teeth– gets thinner. This makes your teeth more fragile and can be easily worn out. To keep your teeth strong, it's important to avoid or reduce the consumption of acidic drinks like sodas and wine and hard foods that can chip or crack our enamel. Additionally, smoking and using tobacco are associated with an increased risk of oral cancer as we get older.
2. Wear Your Nightguard or Retainers
Even though our teeth can surprisingly handle over 200 pounds when we bite down, they can still get damaged. Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear them down and make them thinner around the edges. This might even make your teeth move, causing crowding or gaps. Seeing your dentist to check if you need a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep could help prevent this.
If your teeth have already shifted, you can use clear aligners to straighten them out. Then, wearing retainers after can keep them in their new position and prevent any more problems.
3. Keep Your Gums Healthy
White and healthy pink gums show how well you care for your oral health. Your mouth is like a doorway for everything going into your body, so it's super important to keep it healthy. Make sure to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings, brush your teeth twice a day, and floss every day. This helps stop tartar and plaque from building up, which can make your gums red and swollen and even cause them to pull back from your teeth, making them look longer and showing an older-looking smile.
4. Keep Your Mouth Moist
As we age, our mouths often become drier, which can be uncomfortable and make it harder to eat and swallow. As saliva helps to clean and flush the teeth, a dry mouth can also lead to bad breath and make the teeth more prone to decay. To fix this, try drinking more water and holding it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help make more saliva. But be aware some medicines can make your mouth dry, too. If you think one of your medicines is causing it, ask your doctor for an alternative.
5. Teeth Whitening
You might notice that your bright smile doesn't shine as much as it used to. That's because the enamel is translucent, and as mentioned before, it gets thinner as we get older. At the same time, the inner layer, called dentin, which is softer and has a yellowish color, gets wider. This makes the yellowish color of dentin show through the thinner enamel. On top of that, stains from drinks like coffee, tea, or red wine can build upon the enamel, making your teeth look darker. Regular teeth whitening can prevent this by removing stains and discoloration from the surface of the teeth to make them appear whiter and brighter.
A 2019 study found that people tend to find whiter teeth more attractive. So, having whiter, brighter teeth will reveal a youthful and more confident smile.
Keeping up with a good oral care routine and considering a smile makeover can lift your self-esteem and how you feel about yourself. And here’s the positive spin: you don't always have to go for a complete smile makeover. Fortunately, you can opt for a smaller investment that can make a massive difference in transforming your smile.
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