In the past decade there has been a significant increase in the number of patients over the age of 50 wanting cosmetic dental treatments. We look at some of the reasons why more adults are opting for dental cosmetic treatments and which treatments they prefer.
Living Longer, Wanting to Look and Feel Our Best
According to the Office for National Statistics, men can now expect to live for an average of 79.4 years and women can expect to live for an average of 83.1 years. With people living longer and with more people keeping their own teeth for longer, it is only natural that we want to maintain a healthy and attractive smile rather than surrendering to the likes of dentures, gaps or discoloured teeth.
In the past, sixty may have been considered “old”, but not anymore. And with an emphasis in today’s society to be healthy and look your best, a natural, radiant smile is part of the package that makes us look and feel our best.
So which treatments are proving popular with adults over 50?
Gone are the days when braces were “train-tracks” suitable only for children and teenagers. More adults are now having orthodontic treatment than ever before. The reasons can be varied: Many adults feel that it is now their time to focus on their own appearance, some want to look after their own teeth well into old age, others want to rectify crooked teeth that they didn’t treat when they were younger. The improvements in dental technology is a definite draw; there is now a wide selection of dental braces which are clear or practically invisible and treatment time is faster than ever. Braces include Invisalign, Fastbraces or Hidden Braces.
Dental implants are popular with those patients who have gaps in their teeth or have missing teeth. A beautiful smile is becoming more important than ever to the way we look and feel. According to the Oral Health Foundation, smiles and teeth are the second most attractive feature with personality at the top.
Adult patients are no longer willing to put up with ugly gaps in their teeth or an unattractive smile and for this reason more patients are investing in dental implants to protect the long-term state of their oral health as well as increase the attractiveness of their teeth for as long as possible.
Teeth whitening has become perhaps the most fashionable cosmetic treatment because it’s so quick and gentle and one that gets almost instant results. Teeth that are yellow or stained, can be whitened and brightened relatively quickly using a teeth whitening solution. There are three main whitening treatments available which include a home whitening kit, a treatment which is applied at the surgery and another which combines home and dental treatment. Find out more about teeth whitening.
Veneers are another form of cosmetic treatment for teeth which are being used by adult patients who want to improve their smiles. Veneers are an excellent way to correct a number of problems such as gaps between the teeth, discolouration or teeth that are slightly crooked. Custom-made by your dentist, veneers are placed on top of the teeth to create a natural looking and radiant smile. Veneers are often chosen by celebrities to give a dazzling Hollywood smile and they are now equally accessible to any of us too.
No matter what your age, people are realising that healthy, beautiful teeth look attractive to others and boost our confidence. It is worth the investment to have an attractive smile which will last.
Speak to any of our friendly dentists to find out how we can help transform your teeth and improve your smile that will last you a lifetime!