For many when we say Grandma, we think of a little old lady sitting in front if a fire knitting a sweater or scarf, but the fact is it is quite possible to be a grandmother in your forties or fifties.
No one can avoid getting older, but it certainly does have an effect on our bodies. It is possible to give our bodies a helping hand by having a healthy diet and exercising regularly, but some things such as wrinkles will happen eventually no matter what we do.
One other area that often betrays our age, is our teeth. Even if we have looked after them well and they are otherwise healthy, as we age our teeth tend to lose some of the sparkle and brightness that they had when we were younger.
In this month’s blog we look at some key concerns and ways to keep your teeth looking their best for years to come.
Teeth discolouration
There are two forms of teeth discolouration: either surface discolouration or internal discolouration.
Surface discolouration is down to the food and drinks that we consume, medication and lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption. It can also be caused by a build up of plaque and calculus on the surface of teeth.
As we age the internal part of our teeth will darken, no matter what we do to stop it, and this is down to internal discolouration. As our teeth are translucent, this darkness will eventually show through, making your teeth look dull and sometimes yellow.
Whilst both surface and internal discolouration are not necessarily harmful to our teeth, discolouration is certainly not desirable. Below we look at some ways the team at Valley Dental Practice can help to reverse these problems.
1.Surface Staining
Surface staining can be minimised by ensuring that you follow a good oral hygiene routine. This means that you should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste and using interdental cleaning aids daily.
It is also advisable that you attend for regular appointments with the hygienist. The hygienist will be able to remove any build up of plaque and calculus and surface staining. They will also be able to advise you on the best oral hygiene routine to follow in between appointments to keep your teeth looking their best.
2.Surface and Internal Staining
To truly bring out the whiteness in your teeth, we would advise that you consider professional teeth whitening.
At Valley Dental Practice, we are able to offer an at home teeth whitening system. At home teeth whitening, involves taking impressions and making custom whitening trays. These are then worn at home, normally at night, for a period of 2-3 weeks. This allows you to fit the whitening around your own schedule.
The darker your teeth, the longer your teeth will take to get lighter, but your dentist will be able to advise you on the expected time frame.
The teeth whitening gel also has an indirect effect on the gums in helping them to heal and improving the health of the gums. This is how the technique was invented as it was first used to heal gum irritation during orthodontic treatment.
The effects of teeth whitening should last for up to 3 years but will be dependent on your diet and whether you smoke, but most people chose to keep their teeth looking their best with a top up treatment every year.
Age should not be a barrier to an attractive appearance. Whilst we probably shouldn’t expect the ‘perfection’ some younger people aspire to, there is no reason why we should simply let ourselves go.
For more information on improving the appearance of your teeth and teeth whitening, do not hesitate to call Valley Dental Practice on 01255 220322 to book an appointment.
