How Do Teeth Affect Your Appearance?
Your jaw and teeth do more than help you chew. They also play a large role in the structure of your face. Over time, it’s normal for teeth to become worn. In your 30s and 40s, this becomes even more of a problem. Unfortunately, tooth enamel doesn’t regenerate which results in uneven teeth and a threat to your appearance and overall dental health.
If you’ve lost one or more teeth, or have worn, uneven teeth, you might notice your face looks compressed or sunken. Most of our non-surgical facelift patients complain that their cheeks look hollow, their chin and nose are close together, or they have more wrinkles around their mouth. These are all physical symptoms of unbalanced bites and tooth wear.
As teeth wear, they begin to shift in your mouth. This results in a loss of muscle elasticity that creates an unbalanced demand on your facial muscles. When the muscles misalign, this causes straight on the skin, around the eyes, neck, and lip and can even induce sagging, wrinkles and for your facial features to become distorted. Patients also complain that they have difficulty speaking, chewing and communicating through facial expression.
Utilizing our digital imaging suite, Dr. Chris Hill can create images to show you will look like before and after a non-surgical facelift. This will show you your potential results so you can confidently commit to treatment.
Before
After
Why Do Teeth Wear Down?
It’s completely normal for teeth to show signs of wear over time. One of the top reasons is erosion from acidic foods and drinks, or from acid reflux. Teeth can also become worn from grinding or clenching due to stress or sleep disorders. Worn teeth are also a possibility from cavities or broken teeth due to trauma. Some of these causes can be prevented, but many don’t seek treatment until it’s too late.
Worn Down Teeth and Stress
Stress is one of the leading causes of worn-down teeth. When you’re stressed, a natural reaction is to grind or clench your teeth either during the day or while you sleep. Unfortunately, it’s not just the teeth that are affected.
Stress also affects:
- Muscles: Muscles may begin to spasm or cause pain. It’s also possible for your muscles to grow larger than they’re supposed to in the masseter or cheek muscles, also known as jowls.
- Jaw Joints: As teeth begin to deteriorate, the muscles that support the jaw begin to change which can result in TMD and a change in facial appearance.
- Periodontal Ligament: This is responsible for holding teeth in the bone. When it weakens, it may cause teeth to become loose.
- Facial Appearance: When teeth begin to wear, the lower two-thirds of the face begins to shrink. This results in wrinkles around the chin and mouth, straining or sagging around the eyes, and flabby necks.
Non-Surgical Facelift in St. Louis
With traditional facelifts, surgery always poses a large risk. Non-surgical facelifts can enhance your smile, facial features, without the high risk of surgery. With this method, Dr. Chris Hill helps rebuild your face’s support without stretching or cutting into your skin. It’s a more natural rejuvenation that restores your facial proportions rather than altering your appearance.
If you want to look younger and explore if a non-surgical facelift in St. Louis is right for you, please call (314) 678-7876 today for an appointment cosmetic dentist Dr. Chris Hill at Smile On Dental Studio in Richmond Heights, MO.
