How you look as you age is determined by a number of factors largely out of your control — genetics, environmental exposure to hazards and toxins and underlying health issues, to name a few. Along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are a few things you can do to ensure you age like a fine wine, rather than an organic banana relegated to the bottom drawer of the fridge. One of those things is making sure your teeth and gums are well taken care of.
Not only are teeth important to the overall structure of our face, but your smile plays an important psychological role in how people perceive you. A clean, white, bright smile lends a person a more youthful appearance. Healthy gums, even with mild recession caused by the aging process, are more apt to have you looking like a silver fox, rather than someone’s grandmother.
Not only does good dental and periodontal health provide proven health benefits, but a healthy heart goes a long way in keeping you looking and feeling young. The better your heart pumps, the more blood circulates. And good circulation can keep your skin looking younger and enable you to do the activities you love to do for as long as possible.
But home care isn’t the be-all and end-all of the fountain of youth provided by good dental health. Keep your regular appointments for exams and cleanings. Regular check-ins with your dentist can help spot problems as they form, rather than when they become a major issue. From gingivitis — which could turn into gum disease — that starts as mild irritation to cavities that could harbor debris and bacteria, your dentist and their team can help you feel and look as young as possible.
Your dentist is also the one to talk to about cosmetic procedures to help you maintain a more youthful appearance, such as correcting alignment issues using Invisalign or offering a teeth-whitening treatment to give you a whiter, brighter smile.
How Teeth Affect Appearance
Your teeth and the bones of your jaw help form the framework of your facial appearance. As we age, our facial skin loses some of its plumpness and elasticity, revealing more of the overall structure beneath. By ensuring healthy teeth and the bones that hold them in place, we can make sure we look stellar as we enter our golden years.Not only are teeth important to the overall structure of our face, but your smile plays an important psychological role in how people perceive you. A clean, white, bright smile lends a person a more youthful appearance. Healthy gums, even with mild recession caused by the aging process, are more apt to have you looking like a silver fox, rather than someone’s grandmother.
Healthy Teeth Contribute to Overall Health
There’s a saying that you should honor the aging process because it’s a privilege denied to many. Heart disease is the number one killer among men and women in the United States, and there’s a proven link between gum disease and heart disease. By going to your regular dental appointments and complying with any treatment plan your doctor recommends, you can keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy and reduce your risk for heart disease. Harmful bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream through your gums and make their way to your heart, so staying on top of your oral health pays when it comes to maintaining your overall health as you age.Not only does good dental and periodontal health provide proven health benefits, but a healthy heart goes a long way in keeping you looking and feeling young. The better your heart pumps, the more blood circulates. And good circulation can keep your skin looking younger and enable you to do the activities you love to do for as long as possible.
What You Can Do
Home care is important. Keeping a regular brushing, flossing and cleaning routine goes a long way in preserving the structural integrity of your smile and mouth. It’ll also keep plaque and bacteria in check to help you maintain your overall physical health.But home care isn’t the be-all and end-all of the fountain of youth provided by good dental health. Keep your regular appointments for exams and cleanings. Regular check-ins with your dentist can help spot problems as they form, rather than when they become a major issue. From gingivitis — which could turn into gum disease — that starts as mild irritation to cavities that could harbor debris and bacteria, your dentist and their team can help you feel and look as young as possible.
Your dentist is also the one to talk to about cosmetic procedures to help you maintain a more youthful appearance, such as correcting alignment issues using Invisalign or offering a teeth-whitening treatment to give you a whiter, brighter smile.
