Can Your Smile Make You Look Younger?

We all want a brighter and whiter smile and the added benefit of looking younger certainly doesn’t hurt. Especially since smile stains and discoloration can actually make you look older than you really are.

Teeth are prone to stains and discoloration and if they aren’t addressed, they will only continue to become more noticeable with age. The darker the stains are on your teeth, the older you may appear. “As we age, the teeth become yellower over time and it is hastened if the enamel wears fast when underlying tooth structure (dentin) becomes more prominent. The enamel is whiter when we are younger and the dentin is always darker and can appear as yellow or brown. When the enamel wears, the yellow or brown begins to really influence the shade of the teeth,” explains Atlanta cosmetic dentist Ronald E. Goldstein, DDS. 

New York cosmetic dentist Irwin Smigel, DDS says, “Whiter teeth can make everyone look younger, healthier, and more vibrant. When you have a bright, confident smile you look better, feel better and make a stronger impression on others.” Light-based or laser bleaching treatments are the best course of action for deep discoloration and yellowing. In most cases they can be performed in 30 to 60 minutes with great results. Another option is custom-made, at-home bleaching trays, which can be prescribed by your dentist. 

How do you whiten?