How Can I Stop the Teeth Aging Process?
When we wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, we may have a few more gray hairs, a wrinkle that never existed, and eyes appear a little “older” looking. Yes, we are all aging. We embrace our wisdom, our self-confidence, and our achievements. We take solace in our relationships, children, and grandchildren. But what is happening to our once beautiful smiles? When did our teeth start to look so yellow, so long and so chipped? This was the conversation I had with my father in recent years, along with many other patients in their “golden years.” People are starting to realize how much of an adverse effect; their smiles are having on the overall aging process.
As we get older, everyday wear and tear takes a toll on our teeth. Our teeth are crazy strong, but they can still be worn down. In addition to all the dental work that most people have received throughout the years including different colors of crowns, different materials (metals and porcelains), and even root canals and bonding; this can ALL play a role in “aging” our smiles.
Common Changes in Teeth as They Age
Mark Twain referred to old age as “getting long in the tooth.” He was astute as he observed that older folks’ teeth appear longer than when they were young. This is called recession, and to some degree affects all of us as time goes by. The gum is migrating up and exposing the roots of the teeth, thus making the tooth look longer
Our teeth appear darker, yellower. As the hard, white enamel is worn away the underlying softer layer, dentin, is exposed. Dentin’s color is much darker than enamel and ranges in yellows, browns, and grays.
In profile, our nose and chin are coming closer together. We have more severe puppet lines, and our mouth is spreading across our faces. This is called loss of vertical dimension and is a major factor in making us look older.
Like many patients in their senior years, my father had a full “lifetime” of dental work. He also has been a clencher and grinder his entire life, which can really accelerate the aging process of the teeth. My dad had always had a “great smile,” and he still did, but the look of his teeth within that smile weren’t that white, youthful, and healthy version that he once remembered. With our advanced smile design techniques and porcelain restorations, we gave my father back his healthy and confident, but still “age appropriate,” smile. You can even see the changes in patient’s faces when we rebuild their smiles to support their lips and face. It is almost like having a non-surgical facelift in many cases. I was so happy to give my father back the attractive and “great smile” that he was always so proud of.
You can't erase a lifetime of wear and tear, without having it restored by a properly trained cosmetic dentist, but you can keep it from getting worse. Teeth can be worn down by a poor bite and nighttime grinding (bruxism), so a custom nighttime appliance can be very effective in protecting your teeth. Regardless of the stage you are in your “dental career,” discussing options to restore your teeth or slow down the tooth aging process is always recommended so that patients have the information to make the right decision for themselves.