A smile is often the first thing you notice about a person. It lights up your face and, if you have a nice one, can make you more attractive. Some even think a nice smile can turn back the clock.
One 2011 study determined that people found smiling faces to be more attractive and youthful — with some faces deemed up to three years younger when they had a smile on!
But what if you don’t have a Hollywood megawatt grin implant machine? Decades of chewing, grinding and sipping through your teeth can leave your smile a little lackluster. And receding gum lines, yellowing and shifting can make for an aging smile.
Luckily, there are plenty of little steps you can take to preserve and protect your smile.
1. Go sugarless.
Dry mouth is a common complaint as we get older. There are hundreds of medications on the market that list dry mouth as a side effect — including those used for incontinence and blood pressure. These drugs cause our mouths to produce less saliva, causing discomfort and making swallowing more difficult. But less saliva is also bad news for your oral health as saliva is what helps prevent decay and infections in the mouth.
The NIH recommends chewing on sugarless gum or sucking (not biting) on sugarless candy to help keep the saliva flow going in your mouth dental supplies. These are also a great alternative to sugary candy and drinks — such as juices and sodas— that create acids in the mouth which eat away at your precious tooth enamel. But just be careful, as sugar-free products can sometimes cause stomach upset.
2. Avoid stains.
Discolored teeth are instantly aging. “As we get older, our teeth do get darker,”American Dental Association spokesman Richard Price told The Huffington Post. Price says that as we age, the internal part of the tooth begins to shrink, while the amount of dentin — which is yellowish — increases. As the enamel wears down, we see more and more of the dentin showing through.
To blame are our diets and lifestyle choices vacuum forming machine dental. Red wine, some carbonated drinks, coffee and teas can all cause surface stains. “Anything that will stain a carpet will stain your teeth,” Price said.
But if you just can’t resist your morning cuppa, try switching from black tea to green or herbal teas which are less likely to stain. And while you may be tempted to brush your teeth immediately afterwards, it’s best to swish with water and then wait at least 30 minutes before you brush, so you don’t damage your enamel.