If you want to turn back the clock on ageing, the easiest and least painful way to do it is to look after your smile. Did you know a brighter smile can make you look at least five years younger?
The following dental issues will make your teeth and you look aged. We explain how to keep your teeth white, bright and healthy:
GUM DISEASE
Research shows that 47% of the population has moderate to severe gum disease, which, if left untreated, can severely affect the health of your teeth and gums and make you look old before your time.
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque – a sticky bacteria that feeds on food debris left inside the mouth – on teeth and gums. Many of us will suffer from a degree of it at some point. You can prevent it by brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day is essential.
Plaque can form in just 12 hours if you haven’t been cleaning your teeth properly and isn’t removed, it multiplies, releasing toxins that cause gum inflammation, gum damage and bleeding.
Gum disease, known as gingivitis, often causes no pain, so some damage may already have been done by the time it’s caught. If left untreated, it can develop into more serious problems and even tooth loss.
TOOTH DECAY
Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria in your mouth dissolve the outer layer of your teeth, which can result in cavities, toothache or abscesses. Everyone’s mouth contains bacteria, and when we consume sugary or high-carbohydrate foods and drinks the bacteria produce they decay causing acid. You need to brush your teeth regularly to remove bacteria, as well as reducing the amount of sugar you’re consume to prevent tooth decay which not only damages your teeth but makes them look unsightly too.
Your saliva is the best natural antibacterial mouthwash as it protects your teeth from a build-up of both plaque and acid so ensure you stay well hydrated to keep you saliva flow at optimal levels.
YELLOWING TEETH
As we get older, our teeth get more yellow, so it’s an immediate giveaway of age, no matter how good the rest of your face looks.
Smoking, as well as tea, coffee, red wine, fizzy drinks and juices can lead to discolouring. Anything that will stain a white shirt will stain your teeth.
Some teeth can actually look yellow because the enamel coating has worn down through aggressive brushing or acid exposure from foods and drinks. The only way to correct this is with cosmetic dental procedures like veneers or crowns.
RECEDING GUMS
Receding gums occur when the tissue that surrounds your teeth wears away, exposing more of your tooth, or even its root. Teeth look longer and feel more sensitive.
Although looking a bit ‘long in the tooth’ is a problem that escalates as we age, this isn’t the only cause. Gum recession is actually a long process that can be caused by lots of different factors, including smoking, poor oral health, teeth grinding and even health issues like diabetes.
It often begins with gum disease when you’re young, which can develop into periodontal disease, where inflammation and chemicals released by bacteria destroy the gums and bone structure that hold your teeth in place. The teeth eventually become loose and may need to be removed if left untreated.
Tips To Keep Your Teeth In the Best Health
A few simple changes is all it takes to get a smile worth grinning for…
- Brush Twice A Day: Brushing twice daily for 2 minutes will help break down the build up of plaque and stain from your teeth. Most people only brush for 20-30 seconds. So how about investing in a timer or using the stopwatch on your smart phone to ensure you are spending long enough to get all that nasty sticky plaque away.
- Floss daily: Use dental floss and a combination of interdental brushes daily to remove plaque between the teeth, or go high tech and add in an air floss which fires water and air between the teeth to remove food and bacteria build-up. When flossing don’t be put off if your gums bleed at first as the more you clean between teeth and gums, the less inflammation and bleeding will occur. As soon as you stop flossing, the plaque and the problems will return.
Please call us on (02) 4869 3111 to make an appointment so we can discuss your dental needs.
