Like it or not, the ageing process begins much earlier than we think, from as early as our twenties, and the affects are usually most visible our face.
For most of us, wrinkles, drooping eyelids, and a loss of skin elasticity are the sighs of getting older, and wiser. However, other less noticeable changes happening beneath the surface also greatly impact the overall look and feel of our faces.
Dr Sheryl Smithies, a top Cape Town based aesthetic dental surgeon and facial aesthetic practitioner shares some light on various options available on the market to help combat facial aging.
1. Fixing your jaw will fix your face.
One often overlooked aspect of facial aging is the gradual decrease in the size of the jawbone, which leads to shifting of teeth to accommodate the diminishing space in our mouths. Over the years, this can result in teeth becoming crooked and misaligned, affecting the overall harmony of the face.
Added to this, is the gradual wearing down of the surface of our teeth due to natural wear and tear caused by eating, grinding, and clenching. This causes our teeth to become shorter, chipped, and worn. Not a good look at any age!
Dr. Sheryl Smithies explains that rejuvenating teeth bonding, or veneers, can effectively rebuild the worn-off areas of teeth, restoring their youthful appearance and by adding a tooth whitening treatment, your smile can be elevated to a level that is both appealing and brighter.
“With advancements in technology, treatments like this can be entirely non-invasive, bonding directly to the natural tooth structure without causing any damage,” she says.
Dr. Smithies emphasises that these dental issues can contribute to older faces appearing miserable, tired, sad, or unhappy, conveying a range of negative emotions that do not reflect an individual’s true feelings. Genetics, along with factors like sun exposure, smoking, diet, exercise, and stress, can also negatively affect the rate at which we age.
2. It’s never too late to align your teeth.
To prevent a sagging and older-looking face, Dr. Sheryl Smithies advises individuals to consider clear aligner therapy teeth therapy as a preventive measure.
“By aligning teeth at various intervals throughout your life, you can maintain the proper positioning of teeth within the face and potentially reverse the aging process on the bone structure, promoting better quality bones and teeth. It can also improve a changing smile by reversing the effects of aging and placing the teeth in a more youthful position,” explains Dr. Smithies.
Important to note is that aligners do not weaken the strength of teeth. When planned correctly, they can position teeth in a way that prevents damage from a crowded bite and the discreet nature of aligners makes them the least noticeable orthodontic option.
“While minor discomfort may be experienced during the initial three days and whenever aligners are changed, it can typically be alleviated with over-the-counter painkillers,” adds Dr. Smithies, who suggests considering anti-aging dental alignments at any age, especially if teeth are shifting or in a narrowed or crowded position.
3. Don’t discount other options
In addition to teeth alignment, there are other options available to reduce the effects of facial aging, such as face sculpting with fillers. This technique helps restore lost facial volume, providing subtle and tasteful results that go unnoticed.
The use of threads and other biostimulators have also gained popularity in retro-aging treatments. These products stimulate the body’s collagen production, conditioning and supporting aging skin.
Consistent use can lead to thicker and stronger skin, effectively reversing the aging process. Threads also have the added benefit of lifting sagging skin and promoting the growth of larger collagen threads beneath the skin.
4. Finally, don’t be too late to the party
Neglecting dental and facial care as we age can lead to severe issues such as tooth crowding, difficulty maintaining oral hygiene, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) damage, tooth decay, and gum disease. Dr. Sheryl Smithies advises individuals to have their dentist assess the position of their teeth as they grow older.
Finally, Dr. Smithies warns that allowing the natural aging process to proceed without intervention can reach a point where it becomes challenging to reverse the effects with less invasive treatments.
“To maintain one’s appearance as much as possible, it is crucial to take proactive steps before it becomes too late to achieve desirable results easily,” she concludes.
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