Having a bright smile reflects one’s confidence and self-assurance. No one should be denied this opportunity. Whatever age you may be, you should be able to smile confidently because this genuinely shows what you feel inside.
There are many reasons one could be hesitant to show their pearly whites when one ages. Here are some of them:
- Discoloration – It’s natural to lose your teeth’s sparkle and shine at this age. The accumulation of all bad habits throughout the years will show in the color of your teeth.
- Chipped and broken tooth – A portion of your teeth may be damaged by biting on something hard and cause it to have cracks and break.
- Unhealthy-looking gums – If you’re a smoker, the effect of nicotine will show on your gums. Additionally, if you frequently take certain medications that cause dryness of the mouth, it’ll also darken your gums and make them look unhealthy.
- Misaligned teeth – Maybe you’ve been holding on to fixing this because you have other more important priorities in life until you’ve reached your 40s.
- Loss of teeth – You may have lost one or a few of your teeth over time due to several reasons, making you hesitant to smile and approach people.
- Bad breath – You might feel more self-conscious if you know that even a slight opening of your mouth might hint at your bad breath, so you try to avoid smiling and getting too close to people.
- Depression – Feeling helpless and down won’t give you a reason to smile.
But all of this could be quickly addressed by following proper dental hygiene, seeing a dentist to fix the issues, and a little self-grounding. You may try checking the exceptional service at cambridgedental.co.nz.
To give you more insight and suggestions, here are other ways to maintain a bright smile in your 40s:
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Have A Professional Teeth Whitening Procedure
At 40, a home tooth whitening kit may not be as effective anymore. It’d be best if you had dentist-supervised teeth whitening treatment to ensure your enamels are getting the best and safest product. Also, your dentist can remove the stains first to make them more productive.
Ideally, it’d help if you didn’t wait until your teeth are yellow before going to the dentist because the worse the discoloration is, the harder it’d be to treat. A dentist could also determine if you’re a candidate because not everyone who wants this treatment can quickly get it. There are certain conditions where teeth whitening isn’t applied, an example of which is bruxism or the involuntary grinding of teeth.
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Use Dental Veneers
If your teeth are chipped, broken, or severely discolored, you may try having dental veneers. They’re wafer-thin, custom-made shells that mimic the appearance of the teeth and are used to cover imperfections to give you a bright and confident smile.
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Use Dentures
If you’ve lost pieces of your teeth when they’re already permanent due to decay, accident, or other reasons, you need to replace them with dentures. Dentures are a natural-looking removable replacement for your missing teeth. It’ll, in essence, make you feel like your mouth is whole again.
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Utilize Braces To Align Teeth
Many older adults hesitate to use braces after age 20 even if they badly need them because they feel like it won’t suit their age anymore since braces are commonly associated with teenagers. But contrary to popular belief, braces aren’t just for kids. They’ll still be effective even at 50. Yes, you can still have your teeth straightened and have a confident smile at 40.
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Quit Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your health. Aside from all the diseases you can get from it, your teeth and gums will suffer, and you’ll have bad breath, too! Quitting smoking will do wonders for your oral health. It can help reverse the progression of your gum disease and remove the smell of a smoker’s mouth.
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Limit Coffee And Tea Intake
The tannins found in coffee and tea stain your teeth; and the longer you’ve been drinking both, the harder it’d be to remove the stains. Coffee and tea are also both high in acids. The acids in these beverages can weaken the enamel of your teeth, which could lead to tooth decay.
Yes, coffee and tea are part of your daily routine; some people can’t live without them. One suggestion would be to drink both with a straw instead of letting it pass through your teeth and not let the beverage linger in your mouth longer than it should.
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Take Care Of Your Mental Health
Taking care of what’s inside you will show in your smile. Addressing what causes you stress and moving on from unfavorable situations can significantly help your mental stability and give you more reason to smile.
Conclusion
Having a bright smile at any age is necessary. The world you live in now is already harsh and cruel, and a simple smile can be your gift to the people you meet every day. Don’t have second thoughts if you need a professional’s help to give you a bright smile. It’s something priceless that you could grant yourself too.
