Why is My Smile Changing?  

As you grow older, you may notice that your smile is changing in a variety of ways.  Facial structure can change as part of the natural aging process.  Reduced elasticity in skin and gums and bone loss leads to sagging jowls, hollowing cheeks and wrinkles around the lips.  In addition, bone loss causes gums to recede which may lead to sensitive teeth, root caries, or loose teeth.

Have You Noticed Your Smile Changing? 

The combination of changes in your bones, skin and gum tissues can affect your smile, but the good news is that today, there are numerous ways to improve the condition of your alveolar bones, gums, and teeth.  Having healthy gums and strong teeth is essential so a person can speak and chew properly.  Keeping your natural teeth can ensure that your facial lips remain in the proper position, maintaining a more youthful appearance.  

How Has the Natural Progress of Dental Care Changed? 

Historically, when an older individual had dental health issues, teeth were extracted and the individual would wear customized dentures.  The problem is that dentures don’t always fit properly.  Some are designed with larger, unnaturally white teeth to maintain the appearance of a natural smile.  The acrylic can be firm or unnaturally pink in appearance.  Receding bone structure means the denture has to constantly be relined to ensure a comfortable fit.   

Common complaints from denture wearers are: 

• – Teeth look large 
• – Speech is difficult and clicking sounds are heard 
• – Chewing hard foods can be uncomfortable 
• – Dentures slip at inappropriate times  
• – Gum tissue under the denture becomes inflamed and sore 
• – Stains develop if not cleaned thoroughly 
• – Denture needs to be relined for a proper fit 

Fortunately, advancements in dental care have made restoring aging teeth more esthetic, comfortable and affordable.  Extracting teeth is a last resort since dental health professionals want you to keep your own natural teeth as long as possible.   Dental bridges, dental implants and implant-secured dentures are used to replace missing teeth keeping the appearance natural. 

What Can You Do To Have A Perfect Smile? 

A smile makeover is a treatment or combination of treatments that our doctors custom-design to enhance the appearance of your unique smile. For some, a smile makeover may be as simple as a teeth whitening session.  Others require a more comprehensive plan that may include cosmetic bonding, dental implants or porcelain veneers.  See a dentist to evaluate your unique case to determine which treatment options may be right for you.   

Here are some issues that a smile makeover can fix: 

• – Crooked or overlapping teeth 
• – Wide spaces 
• – Shifting teeth  
• – Stained or discolored teeth 
• – Worn or chipped teeth 
• – Missing teeth 
• – Metal or dark color exposed at the gum line 
• – Old dental work 
• – Mismatched crowns 

Improve Yourself 

Most people want to keep their natural teeth for a long time.  Even if you have a good dental hygiene routine at home, you should see a dentist regularly.  The dentist can check for problems that you cannot see or feel because many dental problems don’t become visible or painful until they are in more advanced stages. Regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist will keep your teeth and gums healthy and protect your smile for years.  

Conclusion                   

When you aren’t happy with the way that your smile looks or worried about your smile changing, contact our experts at BayView Dental to arrange a free consultation. With a facial analysis, we can determine if you need to have repairs of your teeth and gums along with orthodontic treatment to improve the alignment of your teeth. Despite being older, you should still care about the health and appearance of your gums and teeth so that you will have an attractive smile.