Regaining the Confidence of a Smile That Looks Years Younger

We change a lot as we move through life, and our teeth change with us. They grow and develop with us as children, baby teeth giving way to adult teeth over time, and often shift and change through orthodontic treatment in our teenage years. 

We might think of our smile as unchanging after this, but even when we reach adulthood, our teeth continue to change as we age. They slowly take on wear and tear from daily use and develop stains or discoloration over time. Because of this, the appearance of your teeth can age you a surprising amount.

This might sound like a negative at first, but there’s good news—the opposite is also true! Using a cosmetic dentistry treatment like veneers to address wear or stains on your teeth and give yourself a bright, beautiful smile is a simple change to your appearance that can make you look years younger. 

This can boost your confidence in your smile again, helping you to smile more often and more openly than you have in a long time. If you’d like to learn more about why your teeth change as you age and how treatments like veneers can help, we’ve put together the guide below to help you.

How do teeth give away your age?

When you think about it, it makes sense that your teeth age as you do. They begin to reveal your age as they build up stains, discoloration, and wear and tear over time. But what causes these things to happen to your teeth? 

Many factors play a role, from habits like smoking to the foods and drinks you consume every day. Some foods and drinks, like coffee, tea, and tomato-based sauces, stain your teeth more readily than others. In addition to wear and tear potentially adding up over the years, your teeth can wear down more from habits like clenching or grinding your teeth. An uneven bite can also cause one side of your teeth to show wear more quickly than the other.

Another big factor in the way your teeth change over the years is simple, natural aging. As you get older, the protective layer of enamel over your teeth thins, showing more of the dentin beneath. Dentin is naturally tinted yellow and thickens as you age, which contributes even more to your teeth looking darker as you grow older. Thankfully, you don’t have to just accept this new shade as part of life. There are several ways you can reclaim your naturally white, beautiful smile, from teeth whitening to veneers.

What are veneers used for?

Dental veneers, which are thin, tooth-shaped pieces of porcelain that your dentist places over one or more natural teeth to change their size, shape, and shade, are an incredibly versatile treatment. You might be surprised by just how many dental issues veneers can address! 

We can use veneers to renew the appearance of stained or discolored teeth, including those that have suffered enamel erosion. This not only improves their appearance but can also help protect against the tooth sensitivity that can occur from enamel erosion.

Veneers can also restore and protect teeth that have suffered minor damage like chips, cracks, or wear over time. They can close gaps between teeth, correct the appearance of teeth that are slightly crooked or irregularly shaped, and lengthen the appearance of shorter teeth to give you a more even, aesthetically pleasing smile. 

And since you can get a single veneer to refresh the appearance of a single tooth, a full set to transform your entire smile, or anything in between, you’re able to get exactly what you need from your veneers. They’re not just versatile because of the number of issues they can address or the number you can choose to get, though—they’re also incredibly customizable!

How do you choose what your veneers will look like?  

When you decide that you’d like one or more veneers, you’ll want to consult with Dr. Desai about the right size, shape, and color for your teeth. Looking at before and after photos from other veneer treatment cases can give you a great idea about what options are out there and what your finished smile may look like. 

There are a lot of options, but that’s a good thing! It allows you to work with Dr. Desai to choose details for your veneers that complement your facial features and create a uniquely beautiful, natural-looking smile. Since each veneer is custom-made for you, your dentist can design veneers that keep quirks or features of your natural teeth that give your smile the personality you love, such as slightly pointier cuspids, or canine teeth. Whether you’re getting a single veneer or a whole set, this process ensures that you’ll love your results.

While veneers are incredibly versatile and can resolve many dental issues, there are other cosmetic treatments that can also refresh the health and appearance of your smile to help you look years younger. As a result, you might find that a combination of cosmetic dental solutions is what you need. 

This could mean combining veneers with any number of treatments, such as teeth whitening, dental bonding, or crowns. If you want to know about more ways you can gain a more youthful smile, always feel free to ask Dr. Desai about your options during your consultation!

It all starts with an evaluation.

Your teeth may age naturally along with you, but modern dentistry provides a wealth of solutions that will help you turn back the clock on your smile. Gaining a subtly fresh, new smile won’t stop at just making you look younger—you’ll feel younger too! If you’d like to learn more about how treatments like dental veneers can make you look younger and if they’re right for you from a cosmetic dentist Newport Beach, feel free to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Desai at any time!