4 Ways to Prevent Your Teeth From Aging

Your teeth chew food and rub against the cheeks and tongue when you speak. And they are the first to face adverse effects of smoking, alcohol drinking, and consuming large amounts of sugar. All these lead to a gradual abrasion of the enamel layer. This can make your teeth darker. The dentin can start to get more visible through the thinned enamel. You can prevent your enamel from aging by practicing proper oral hygiene and attending your dentist on a regular basis.

Keep reading to discover several ways that will help you prevent your teeth from aging.

1. Change your lifestyle

Although professional dental care is important for your teeth, do not forget to enhance the beauty and youth of a smile on your own. Give up smoking and drinking. Alcohol contains a lot of acids that can stain your teeth and damage your enamel. Try to reduce your sugar intake as much as possible. Brush your teeth twice a day after meals, and use mouthwash and dental floss.

2. Do not neglect professional cleaning

The plaque on your teeth forms throughout your day. It harms the health of your teeth and discolors them. Plaque is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria that secrete acid that destroys teeth and causes cavities. Even the most thorough home cleaning will not help get rid of dangerous bacteria completely. You need to visit a dental specialist twice a year for professional cleaning.

3. Get a teeth whitening procedure

Although cleaning improves the state of your oral cavity, it is not able to defeat the age-related darkening of the teeth. Consider teeth whitening if you want a shiny white smile. Keep in mind that the teeth whitening procedure can only be done after a dental cleaning.

The aforementioned teeth whitening options use compounds based on hydrogen peroxide. In one of the procedures, an ultraviolet or LED lamp is used to activate the compound. It heats the enamel and the gel. During this procedure, oxygen releases from hydrogen peroxide and penetrates the tooth structure while splitting the pigment.

During the second procedure, the bleaching effect is achieved thanks to the laser. This is the most advanced and effective type of teeth whitening. You can whiten your teeth by 10 to 12 tones. The result can be preserved forever. Applying dental cleaning twice a year is enough to maintain the effect. The laser also seals the enamel, reducing the distance between its constituent micro-prisms.

4. Consider veneers

Whitening will not help correct the enamel erosion, cracks, and defects in the shape of teeth that appear with age. The veneers or Lumineers teeth can help improve the condition of your teeth. They are thin ceramic pads that are fixed on the front surface of the tooth. The difference is in the thickness and method of placing. The veneer is thicker (up to 0.5 mm), and therefore the tooth needs to be trimmed to fit under it. Lumineers are thinner (no more than 0.3 mm).

With the help of veneers and Lumineers, you can correct the color of the teeth. But their main goals are to improve the shape and restore the height of the teeth. The lining will hide the teeth fillings and small defects.

The bottom line

Age is not an excuse to have stained and unhealthy teeth. Visit professionals to make your smile young and healthy again.