As you age, you will likely notice that certain features of your smile start to look and feel different. While this is a totally normal, and somewhat inevitable, experience, that doesn’t mean that you are automatically stuck with your smile in its current state. Our O’Fallon dentists can help you address specific aging-related concerns so that you can refresh your smile. Keep reading to learn more…
Color
Even the whitest and brightest smiles can take on discoloration over time. We are, after all, constantly exposing our teeth to staining foods, drinks, and tobacco products. These things create extrinsic stains on the dental enamel. Thinning dental enamel can also affect tooth shade. The thinner your enamel becomes, the more of the yellow dentin tooth layer is visible on the surface of your smile.
Sensitivity
The outermost layers of the tooth, the enamel and dentin, do not contain nerves. This is why we are able to chew, speak, and drink without experiencing discomfort. There are, however, nerves in the dental core and extending through our tooth roots. You will start to experience dental sensitivity and discomfort when these nerves are too exposed to irritants. This can occur because the outer tooth has worn away, or because gum tissue has started to pull away from your tooth roots.
Vulnerability
Our teeth can also become more susceptible to damage as time goes on. Thin dental enamel simply isn’t as effective as thick enamel at resisting oral bacteria. As your enamel wears away you may start to develop cavities more frequently. Teeth with thin enamel are also more likely to become cracked or chipped due to an accident or trauma.
If any of these commonly experienced dental issues seem familiar, it may be time to reach out to our dental team about minimizing the effects of aging on your smile. Our O’Fallon dentists are happy to help you in any way we can—just give us a call to get started!