Just like your skin, face and body, the smile can age with time. But, certain factors, especially discoloration—think gray, yellow or brown stains—can instantly add years to your appearance. “The color of your teeth is the number-one factor that ages a smile,” says New York cosmetic dentist Irene Grafman, DDS. Keeping your teeth as white as possible is one of the easiest ways to age-proof your smile.
1. Discoloration: “The shade of your teeth is the most obvious factor that contributes to an aged smile,” says New York cosmetic dentist Steven E. Roth, DMD.
2. Chipped teeth: Often overlooked, tiny chips on the edges of teeth give of a jagged, worn look to the smile that equates to a mouth that’s experienced years of wear, tear and trauma.
3. Excessive wear: If your bite is not ideal or you are missing teeth, wearing can be a problem. You lose height in the face, the bite looks closed and everything collapses, giving an aged look.
4. Extreme asymmetry: “Anything that isn’t symmetrical isn’t perceived as being normal,” says Atlanta cosmetic dentist Ray Morgan, Jr., DMD.
5. Shifting: Everything from gum issues to missing teeth can cause your teeth to shift, resulting in a smile that’s not straight.
