Did you know that growing older impacts your smile? Between continually shifting teeth and inevitable wear and tear, it’s common to develop dental dilemmas in your later years. This can leave you feeling self-conscious about your appearance enough that it impacts your daily quality of life. Many patients hesitate to do anything about it because they assume they’ve aged out of potential solutions. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry provides treatments that can reverse the clock. Continue reading to learn about 3 common problems elderly adults face with their teeth and how your dentist can address them!
Condition #1: Yellowing Teeth
It’s hard to avoid discolored teeth after years of consuming foods and beverages that leave them looking dark and drab. Thankfully, a simple whitening treatment can restore them to their former sparkling splendor. While it’s tempting to head to the store for an over-the-counter kit, you might come to regret purchasing it. The whitening ingredients in commercially available products tend to be abrasive and often lead to tooth sensitivity.
Your dentist, meanwhile, has access to professional-grade ingredients that can lighten your grin by several shades in a single office visit without causing discomfort. If you’re too busy to spare an hour, they can give you a take-home kit with the same high-quality solution so that you can get beautiful results from the comfort of your own home.
Condition #2: Chips or Cracks
Though enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it does wear down with years of usage. As it thins with time, your teeth are more likely to sustain injuries. If you have unsightly chips or cracks that leave you feeling too embarrassed to smile, ask your dentist about porcelain veneers.
These durable shells are no thicker than a contact lens and are attached to the front of your tooth to cover up minor imperfections. They’re coated with a glaze that’s durable enough to withstand staining and breakage, so they also shield your already vulnerable tooth from further harm. Your dentist can color-match them to your natural pearly whites so once they’re in place no one will know the difference.
Condition #3: Metal Restorations
In the past, dental work was completed using metallic materials. Although they were incredibly durable, new solutions were needed because some metals like mercury are known to be dangerous to humans. On top of that, many people didn’t like the way the metal looked glinting in their mouths.
Today, your dentist can use dental bonding to mend cavities or cap severely damaged teeth. This involves applying a tooth-colored composite resin material over your tooth. Your dentist sculpts this into the perfect tooth shape and then hardens it in place with a special curing light. The final result is a visually pleasing restoration that can last a decade or longer with the right care.
There’s no need to live with frustrating flaws in your teeth any longer. Your dentist can give you a stunning smile that you can enjoy for years to come!
About the Practice
At Patriot Dental, our dedicated dental team takes pride in improving your quality of life by enhancing your smile. They provide a full range of conservative services that can improve your oral well-being, including cosmetic dentistry, all under one roof to minimize the need for outside referrals. Whatever issues you’re having, they are sure to have solutions to help. You’re welcome to request a consultation appointment on the website or by calling (850) 477-1120.