Tomorrow, April 7, is World Health Day. This year’s theme focuses on active aging and expresses the idea that good health adds years to your life. Dr. Villani wants to show you that good dental care also adds years of lasting health and beauty to your smile. Let’s take a look at how you can prevent your smile from showing signs of age.
- Surface Imperfections: Your teeth may lose their natural shine due to a lifetime of dark-colored foods and beverages, tobacco use, medications, and other behaviors. Tooth discoloration can make your teeth look dark, dull, and old. Furthermore, chips and cracks make your smile look rough and worn out. Fortunately, Dr. Villani offers porcelain veneers to hide your tooth imperfections and brighten your smile.
- Gum Problems: As you age, your gums may begin to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth to decay and infection. Furthermore, plaque buildup along your gum line can lead to periodontal disease. When your gums are weak, your oral bacteria can enter your bloodstream and infect other areas of your body. Gum disease is linked to heart disease, stroke, lung disease, dementia, diabetes complications, and preterm births. Dr. Villani will examine your mouth for signs of gum disease and perform a deep cleaning, if needed.
- Missing Teeth: If left untreated, gum disease can deteriorate the bones that support your teeth, leading to tooth loss. You may also lose teeth due to injury, infection, or other reasons. Dr. Villani can replace missing teeth with bridges or implants to restore a natural appearance and function to your smile.
- Poor Hygiene: Health conditions and medications may decrease the saliva flow in your mouth, contributing to bad breath and dry mouth. Additionally, arthritis, body aches, and limited mobility make it harder to properly clean your teeth. If you have difficulty practicing regular oral hygiene, ask Dr. Villani what dental products can assist you.
- Oral Cancer: An estimated 36,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. When detected early, oral cancer has an 80 percent survival rate. Age is one of the contributing factors to oral cancer. Fortunately, Dr. Villani will inspect your mouth for signs of oral cancer so it can be treated early on.
Taking proper care of your oral health will help keep your body healthy, as well. To keep your smile lasting for a lifetime, call (617) 562-5210 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Villani at Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA. We welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and the surrounding communities.
