You can say age is just a number, but if you find yourself caring about how old you look, you’re far from being alone. In 2023, the anti-aging industry was valued at $47 billion worldwide, and it is estimated to nearly double that amount within the next decade. Although hair dye, anti-wrinkle creams, BOTOX, and other treatments usually rank high on people’s priority list, eventually time catches up with the telltale signs of aging.
However, a feature you may not have thought to address is one that can dramatically help you look and feel younger, even if wrinkles and white hair return. Cosmetic dentistry can keep your smile and your attitude youthful in the following ways.
Whitening Discolored Teeth
Have you noticed your white shirts seem to turn to a yellow shade as they get older? The same happens to your teeth. After years of exposure to coffee, dark sodas, soy sauce, tomato sauce, and red wine, surface stains build up. Although daily brushing and professional cleaning can lift a few superficial shades, dentist-provided teeth whitening is by far the most powerful treatment you can get. In just one hour in your dentist’s office or two weeks with take-home kits, professional whitening can brighten your smile by as many as ten shades, which is about three times as effective as store-bought whitening.
In other situations, certain medications can have stubborn tooth discoloration as one of their side effects. Unfortunately, whitening treatment often doesn’t work in these types of scenarios; however, thin slivers of porcelain (called veneers) can cover these problematic teeth and present a sparklingly young-looking smile!
Correcting Chipped, Cracked, or Imperfect Teeth
Signs of wear and tear come with age and experience. Just like wrinkles show up in your skin as you get older, little superficial cracks, chips, and other cosmetic damage can leave marks on your teeth, indicating your age. Veneers can be utilized to hide many types of flaws simultaneously. They can even make small or oddly shaped teeth more uniform with the rest!
Typically, in just two appointments a few weeks apart, your dentist can completely transform your flawed teeth into a seemingly untouched, perfect smile!
Reclaiming Confidence
Perhaps most importantly, cosmetic dental work can have a substantial impact on your mental health and confidence. When you feel self-conscious about how your teeth look, you may not want to smile or laugh in front of others because you fear their judgment. On the other hand, if you keep your teeth looking young and flawless, you may not be able to stop smiling!
Studies have repeatedly found that smiling often not only helps you brighten someone else’s day, but also helps you maintain more positive mental health and feel happier overall. Plus, those who have an attractive smile are usually perceived to be more successful, more trustworthy, and younger, boosting your confidence in front of others.
Whether you continue to pursue other anti-aging treatments or not, think about how your smile could be aging you and how enhancing it could help turn back the clock.
About the Author
Starting his dental career in India, Dr. Anil Patel loves practicing at Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail in Fort Worth. As a Fellow of the International Dental Implant Association, the American Dental Association, and the Texas Dental Association, he has dedicated more than 250 hours so far to continuing education and training to stay on top of the latest innovations in dentistry. If you are interested in exploring your cosmetic treatment options, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Patel by calling Studio Dental of Chisholm Trail at 817-717-6788 or contacting us online.