The Role of Teeth and Gums in Maintaining a Youthful Face
You will probably agree, if asked, that looking after your teeth will make you appear younger. It doesn’t. Not now anyway. What will happen is that your teeth will make you look younger at some point in the future, or older, depending on what you do now. The thing is, it’s not just your teeth that will age prematurely if you don’t look after them. Other parts of your face will be affected.
Tooth Wear and Erosion
As we age, our teeth naturally wear down. This wear and tear can be exacerbated by factors such as grinding, acid erosion from food and drinks, and less-than-optimal dental care. The end result is shorter teeth, altering the proportion and balance of your facial features.
When teeth wear down, they lose some height. This, in turn, reduces the vertical dimension of your face. This is the space between your upper and lower jaws. This reduction can cause the lower third of your face to appear shorter and more compressed, giving way to a less defined jawline and, potentially, the appearance of sagging skin around the mouth. These changes will contribute to an older, more tired look, even if the rest of your skin remains relatively smooth.
Fast forward ten years and hopefully you have taken heed, but if not, restorative dental treatments, such as crowns or bonding, will have to play a part in addressing this issue. With the rebuilding of the structure and height of worn teeth, these treatments firstly improve the appearance of your teeth and secondly, restore the vertical dimension of your face. Dental work will help to support the facial structure, reducing the appearance of sagging and restoring more of a youthful, well-proportioned facial profile.
Tooth Loss and Sunken Cheeks
You might think that losing a tooth or two isn’t a big deal for your appearance, and it will probably not make much of a difference, immediately. After time, little by little, tooth loss will go on to induce bone loss, specifically from the jaw. Hollowing of the cheeks is a possible result. Another good reason to spend more time focusing on teeth and gum health. Let’s not forget the gums.
Gum Health and Facial Aesthetics
Healthy gums provide a firm foundation for your teeth and contribute significantly to your overall facial structure. If gum disease progresses, it will follow on to gum recession, where the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth. This not only exposes more of the tooth root but will also create the illusion of longer teeth, which is often associated with ageing. Advanced gum disease can lead to bone loss in the jaw, further compromising facial support.
Inflammation will not help the cause either. Inflammation from gum disease can also have a bearing on the surrounding tissues, potentially leading to puffiness or swelling in the face. This can alter your facial contours and contribute to a less defined, older-looking appearance. Long-term healthy gums aid in giving a fuller, more balanced facial profile.
The Connection Between Oral Health and Skin Appearance
Evidence is a little scarce but, there are rumblings that suggest a link between oral health and skin conditions. Chronic gum disease has been associated with systemic inflammation. This may exacerbate skin issues like acne, rosacea, or eczema. It is theorised that bacteria from gum disease can potentially contribute to skin ageing by promoting inflammation that goes on to affect collagen production. Less collagen in the skin equates to more wrinkles and sagging.
Internal Health Implications
Poor dental health has long been implicated with some pretty serious health issues that you might not expect. Cognitive decline, chronic diseases, and even nutritional deficiencies.
Periodontal diseases affect the gums and bones supporting the teeth. They are fairly common in older adults, and they are not just a problem for your mouth. Infections can spread, potentially leading to heart disease, diabetes complications, and even certain types of cancer. Where is that dental floss?
Good Dental Hygiene for a Younger Appearance
There you go,- by maintaining good gum health through regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleaning and checkups you are helping in the preservation of the underlying structure that supports a youthful facial appearance. Don’t forget to consider how your diet is affecting your teeth and gums too. Healthy gums and teeth will contribute to a fuller, more balanced facial profile, helping to maintain the much-coveted youthful look well into the future. Focus on prevention now. You will thank your diligent former self years from now!
