Causes of Smile Aging

Gum Recession
A lifetime of improper brushing can cause your gums to recede and produce unwanted wear facets on the teeth. This can make your teeth appear much too long., hence the term "long in the tooth." Receding gums can also cause "black triangles," or empty space between the teeth, which make the smile appear much older.

Grinding
Nothing causes an aged look in the smile more then worn-down front teeth. In fact, unless this habit is caught early on, it can continue to wear the teeth so much that as we enter our thirties and forties the smile begins to show less and less teeth, in turn producing an older look. As a preventative measure, ask us to see if you have early signs of grinding.

Soft-Tissue Drape
The facial tissue tends to sag as we age, and when it does, it covers more and more tooth structure, resulting in less visible teeth.

Tooth Darkening
Our teeth naturally become darker as we age, so as the pulp tissue recedes in our thirties and forties, the new tooth structure is decidedly darker. Thinning enamel contributes to the darker appearance as well.

Filling
Cavities are most commonly filled from the teens to the forties. In time, some these old, dark silver fillings may effect the color of your back teeth. Even tooth-colored filings can get dark over time, and may need to be replaced.

Periodontal Disease
Because of neglect, or even genetic factor, the effects of periodontal disease usually seen in the one's fifties. Loose teeth can cause the smile to become crowed or gappy as teeth drift. 

If you have more questions regarding restoring your smile please feel free to call our office at 510-796-1656 or write us at hp_dds@yahoo.com and we'll be glad to provide you more details.