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Anti-Aging Tips for a Younger Smile

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Your smile is often the first thing people notice when meeting you. It makes a lasting impression, so you want to be sure it’s your best one.

Studies have determined that smiling faces are more attractive and youthful looking, with some people looking three years younger as a result of their smile.

What do you do if you don’t have that magazine-ready smile?

You’ve had years of chewing, grinding, snacking and coffee drinking. And now your grin reflects stains, receding gum lines, and yellowing teeth – the ingredients of an aging smile.

No need to fear. There are plenty of steps you can take to achieve the younger smile you desire.

 

Healthy teen mouth with beautiful white teeth

Get rid of stains for a younger smile.

Banish stains

Stained, discolored teeth instantly age you. Coffee, dark teas, some carbonated drinks and red wine can cause stains to the surface of our teeth.

To gain back your youthful look, try switching to green or herbal teas which are less likely to stain. Also, resist the urge to brush your teeth immediately after consuming these drinks. It’s best to simply rinse with water and then wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to protect your tooth’s enamel.

 

Plate of healthy salad

Limit snacking to healthy choices that won’t harm your tooth’s enamel.

Limit snacking

Snacking can not only threaten your waistline, it’s not so great for your oral health either. Frequently munching on chips, sweets and other processed foods can increase acid levels in your mouth and keep them elevated for an extended time as you snack throughout the day.

These acids contribute to the breakdown of your tooth’s enamel. Not a good move for maintaining a youthful smile.

If you feel the need to snack, switch to healthy alternatives like carrots, celery or cucumber slices which won’t stick around on your teeth.

 

Woman putting whitening teeth tray into her mouth

Whiten and brighten

Over time, our teeth get darker. The internal part of our teeth begin to shrink, while the amount of the yellowish dentin in our teeth increases. As our tooth’s enamel wears thin over time, this yellow tint shines through more and more.

Thankfully, there are several teeth whitening products which can get your teeth shades lighter. While there are over-the-counter solutions, a trip to the dentist is the safest route.

We can fit you with custom-made whitening trays which usually have more potent whitening power. If you’d rather not do it yourself, we also offer in-office Zoom whitening services.

Replace metal fillings

Nothing ages your smile more than silver fillings and metal crowns. Talk with your dentist about replacing these out-dated materials with newer, tooth-colored options.

Veneers are another option for turning back the clock. These thin pieces of porcelain are bonded to your original tooth, correcting problems with shape, size, crowding, color and position.

Woman smiling looking to the side

The right lip color can frame your smile perfectly.

Frame your smile perfectly

Sometimes achieving a younger smile is as simple as choosing the right lip color. Selecting a lip color that offsets stains or yellowing can give you a more youthful grin.

Avoid colors that are dark or have yellow undertones. These can actually make stains stand out more. Opt instead for lipsticks with cool undertones that blend well with your skin tone to enhance the brightness of your smile.

 

Dr. Mike Malone, DDSDr. Mike Malone and his team practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants.

Do’s and Don’ts of Eating for Whiter Teeth

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“A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear.”

 

 

For centuries, people have been finding creative ways to beautify their smiles by whitening their teeth. The ancient Egyptians turned to a mixture of pumice and vinegar, while the Romans gargle animal urine because of its high ammonia content. Both of these methods sound pretty gross, so it’s not surprising people kept looking for better ways to restore their teeth to a natural white.

In the 17th century barbers became responsible for both hair and teeth. To whiten their clients’ chompers, they would soak them in nitric acid. While this treatment did whiten teeth almost immediately, it also destroyed the layer of enamel and left the teeth white but  weak. Modern peroxide treatments were discovered by accident. Dentists began using peroxide to treat gums and noticed that one side effect was significantly whiter teeth. This sparked a large tooth whitening industry, which today includes many different treatments.

 

But what can you do to help keep your teeth from ever needing to be whitened? Choosing the right foods can help, but a lot of teeth whitening diets focus on what not to eat. However, this approach only takes into account one of the three main factors that a person should consider when selecting a diet to keep teeth white.

Stains: This is the category that comes to mind first when people think about diets to promote whiter teeth. Everybody knows that coffee and red wine can discolor teeth, but there a bunch of other foods and drinks to watch out for. Tea, soda, and sports drinks have all been shown to contribute to stained teeth, as well as a number of foods such as blueberries, blackberries, curry sauces, and soy sauces. A good rule of thumb is if it will stain a t-shirt it will probably stain your teeth.

Chewing: Hard and crunchy fruits and vegetables can act like a toothbrush as you eat them, scrubbing away plaque build-up as you eat them. These include things like apples, carrots, celery, and cauliflower. Even certain types of hard cheese, such as an aged Gouda or Balfour, can help remove food particles from your teeth as you chew, leaving you with a cleaner mouth.

Saliva: A healthy saliva flow helps to keep teeth white by washing food particles away before they can leave a stain. Saliva is also responsible for keeping plaque build-up limited, which also leads to a healthier, whiter smile. Strawberries are a great food to pick for this reason, because they contain malic acid, an enzyme that specifically stimulates saliva production.

Other foods that offer benefits include dairy products because of their high calcium levels. Not only does calcium keep teeth strong, it helps to keep them white. So replacing soda with milk or ice cream with yogurt can help to keep your smile bright.

Another often neglected tip is to drink lots of water. This simple step helps to wash your teeth in much the same way saliva does. By drinking water after eating you can help keep your mouth and body happy and healthy.

 

about_doc_Dr. Mike Malone and his team practice expert cosmetic dentistry in Lafayette, LA. Dr. Malone is the former president and current accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is also the official Cosmetic Dentist of the Miss Louisiana USA and Miss Louisiana Teen USA pageants. Check out his website for more information.