No matter how hard we try, we will all see signs of aging as we get older.  Our body begins to metabolize more slowly, hair turns gray and teeth are not as white as they once were.  But there are ways that you can slow the signs of aging, especially when it comes to your teeth.  Prepare now and make the effort to take care of your teeth so that you will still have them later in life.

Regular preventative dental care
If you are a non-smoker and have kept regular dental appointments your likelihood of contracting periodontal disease is greatly reduced.  Periodontal disease has links to heart disease, diabetes, respiratory problems and low birth weight premature babies.  A dentist can detect periodontal disease in its earliest stages and can easily prevent the spread of this disease.  Failure to keep routine dentist's appointments means that this disease and other factors that hurt your teeth are left unchecked.  Plaque, for example, is not necessarily going to do anything to your teeth.  However, over time plaque buildup creates a sticky porous surface on which tartar can develop.  Tartar will eat away at the enamel of the tooth and can lead to cavities.  Cavities of course compromise your comfort, the strength of your teeth, and the quality of your smile.  So you see, preventative twice-yearly dental appointments can really do you a world of good and are worth the time it takes.

Healthy diet rich in calcium
Calcium is what reinforces the strength and rigidity of our bones and teeth.  In fact, 99% of the calcium that we ingest goes straight to our bones and teeth.  Eating a diet rich in calcium will add strength to our teeth making them less susceptible to breaks and chips. When we do not have a sufficient amount of calcium in our diets (especially when we are young) the 1% of calcium carried in the blood will draw calcium out of the bones to insure that the blood calcium levels are sufficient.  Taking calcium away from the bones and teeth leave them brittle and weak.  Over the course of time people can develop osteoporosis.  This is why older people tend to break bones more easily and have a more difficult time with oral health.

Whitening and other cosmetic dentistry options
There are just some things that you cannot prevent when it comes to your smile.  Everyone's smile is going to fade in brightness over time, especially if you are a tea or coffee drinker.  When all of the healthy eating and visits to the dentist cannot help the aesthetic appeal of your teeth, remember that there are options in cosmetic dentistry.  For faded teeth tooth whitening has become very popular.  There are over-the-counter options as well as professionally applied options to choose from.  Another popular cosmetic dentistry option for those who are older are dental implants.  Dental implants are a more permanent solution to dentures.  Whether you have lost a tooth from injury or from poor health, it is likely that a cosmetic dentist can provide you with a permanent solution to your problem.  Dental implants act much like your real teeth and you need not worry about messy pastes, glues and tapes.

Coffee, tea, caffeinated beverages
Over time, drinking coffee, tea and caffeinated beverage will have an obvious effect on your teeth.  Tea and coffee can discolor teeth, while caffeine can actually eat away at the tooth over time.  The harsh chemicals in a soda may seem harmless in your youth but over time the deterioration is quite apparent. 

Smoking
If you do nothing else to ensure that you have a sparkling smile when you are older you should quit smoking.  Studies have shown that those who smoke even as little as a pack a day are three times more likely to have periodontal disease and all of the potential hazards that accompany it.  Those who have smoked for a lifetime are guaranteed to have tooth loss and major oral health issues.