Your smile is the first impression people have of you. It should scream youthful and vibrant.
So what does an aging smile say?
As we age, so does the appearance of our smile. White slowly fades to yellow or gray. Teeth chip or crack. Tiny lines and wrinkles embed themselves around our lips.
50 is not the new 30. It’s the new 50.
And, it’s fantastic!
Aging gracefully is a combination of self-care and creating good habits. The blending of caring for your body as well as your emotional well-being.
If you feel like you’re still young, we think you should look young too. And your smile’s a great place to start.
Fighting back: Combat an aging smile
A beautiful, healthy smile takes years off your face.
Keep your whites pearly
Professional whitening treatments like Zoom Whitening or an in-home kit restores the brilliance and sparkle to your mouth.
Straight, unchipped teeth
Veneers are thin wafers bonding to the front of your teeth. Veneers offer a solution to a host of issues including chips and pits, gaps, misshapen or malformed teeth, crooked teeth, uneven teeth, teeth that are too large or too small, or teeth that are discolored beyond the help of whitening treatment.
Missing teeth
If you’re missing teeth, consider dental implants. Not only do missing teeth change the ascetics of your smile, but they also lead to bone erosion and facial sagging–adding years to your face. Implants look natural and won’t slip out at embarrassing times like dentures.
It’s easier to prevent signs of aging than to reverse them, don’t wait until you’re showing signs of age to do something about it. Here are a few of the old standbys for fighting the aging process.
Don’t wait until your thirsty to drink
Your body’s water content decreases as you age. The rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day—every season. For a person who weighs 160 pounds, this means drinking 80 ounces. If the thought of drinking this much water bums you out, excite your taste buds with water infused with fruits and herbs.
Your new best friend: Sunscreen
Sunscreen prevents cancer—and, wrinkles, brown spots, and aging. But more importantly cancer. And, did we mention cancer?
More isn’t always better. Sunscreens claiming SPFs more than 50 don’t offer additional benefits nor any additional longevity. Don’t waste your money or risk burning, stick with an SPF of between 15 and 50.
Healthy lifestyles start at the farm
A healthy diet consists of mostly fruits and vegetables paired with lean meats or proteins. If you’re planning on enjoying a snack—in moderation, of course–Shape’s got the “A” list of the healthiest snacks on store shelves.
Exercise 30-45 minutes a day three to four times a week
Moderate exercise keeps your heart healthy and your blood flowing to your skin. And, it’s good for your mood and figure. Walking, running, swimming, yoga—whatever you’re in to, keep it up.
The only smoking you should be doing is a brisket
Smoking leads to gum (periodontal) disease, bad breath, and yellow teeth. In addition to increased incidents of heart disease and—you guessed it—cancer. Smokefree.gov offers plenty of resources.
Avoid senior moments
For mental acuity, you need six to eight hours of sleep each night. Skimping on sleep leads to unsightly bags and swelling, excessive daytime sleepiness and moments of forgetfulness.
Stress kills–and causes wrinkles
There are literally thousands of studies showing that stress will kill you. Find a way to distress—it doesn’t matter if it’s exercise, outdoor activities, reading, or spa days, just relax.
Keeping your smile looking young will literally take years off the aging process.
As a young boy, Dr. Arnold knew he wanted to be a dentist. Dr. E.I. Scrivner, Jr. was a family friend. And, getting to know him led young Fred to fall in love with the profession. Dr. Arnold is now recognized as one of the leading cosmetic dentists in the country. He’s accredited in cosmetic dentistry and a former Chairman of Accreditation for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Arnold is a former member of the United States Air Force. He and his wife, Holly, live in Lexington, Kentucky where they’re raising their three daughters.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.