La Habra/Chino Hills, CA – As you begin aging, you no doubt notice some things are different about your body. Maybe your knees are creakier than they used to be, or gray hairs are sprouting on your head. You may also notice that your smile looks different. Just like the rest of your body, your smile changes as you age.

There are a few things you may notice.

1. Worn down teeth. Think about how much wear and tear your teeth go through in just the course of one day – let a long an entire lifetime! Biting, chewing, and grinding all wear down our teeth. It’s important to pay attention to this and be sure you don’t chew on hard objects like ice or use your teeth as tools to open things.
2. Loss of bone density. You may notice that your teeth, especially on the bottom, look a little more crowded than they used to be. This is because as you age, your jaw begins to lose bone density and can even shrink.
3. Front tooth gap. A diastema, or space between the teeth, can occur for a variety of reasons, and aging can contribute to that. The force of swallowing, breathing through your mouth, and other habits can cause a shift in teeth that results in a space.
4. Gum disease. Gum disease is common, but as it progresses, it can cause serious issues that can damage your smile. Not only can it cause inflamed, red and bleeding gums, it can damage the bone, leading to loose teeth that can shift and even tooth loss.
5. Shifting after orthodontic treatment. If you had orthodontic treatment as an adolescent, you may notice that your smile has started to shift. A retainer is a necessary piece of orthodontic treatment at any age, and many orthodontists recommend continued retainer wear to prevent teeth from shifting.
6. Dry mouth. As you age, your body naturally produces less saliva, which is an important piece of our oral health. Saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria that can linger and damage teeth, leading to decay and gum disease. As we age, we also tend to require more medications and certain prescriptions can cause dry mouth. It is important to always discuss any prescriptions you may be taking with your dentist or orthodontist.

The good news is, if your smile has shifted, it is nothing that can’t be reversed with orthodontic treatment. More adults than ever before are discovering the power of orthodontics, and Gire Orthodontics is here to help patients of all ages get the smiles of their dreams.

If you feel your smile has shifted, or if you’ve always dreamed of a better smile but thought it was out of reach, there is no better time to schedule a complimentary consultation. With discreet treatment options like Spark clear aligners, there are more treatment options that offer efficiency and effectiveness, and that are budget friendly. Call Gire Orthodontics today at 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).