Colonial Dental Group Cosmetic Dentistry Blog - Dooley, Lewis, and Quezada
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
How Does Age Affect Our Teeth?
Aging affects our teeth and gums, just as it affects every other part of the body. After years of chewing, teeth wear down. They also become more brittle and more susceptible to breakage. Their luster and whiteness fade and turn yellow.
The older we get, the more restorations we are likely to have. Old fillings may become loose, and additional decay can set in near them. The tooth around the filling also may deteriorate, exposing the dentin underneath to further decay. Gum tissue shrinks and recedes from the teeth, exposing more of their roots and loosening them.
Medications or age may cause a decrease in saliva, which is the body's natural way of helping to keep the mouth clean.
What can we do?
It is important for older adults to continue with careful oral hygiene. Floss daily and brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in older people as well as in children. Drinking lots of fluid will help keep the mouth moist. Be sure to see a dentist at least every six months to have them professionally cleaned, to check for early decay, for oral cancer, and for gum recession which may need treating.
If you live in the Chicago area, please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation. You might save yourself a great deal of pain, inconvenience and money by catching dental problems early.
The older we get, the more restorations we are likely to have. Old fillings may become loose, and additional decay can set in near them. The tooth around the filling also may deteriorate, exposing the dentin underneath to further decay. Gum tissue shrinks and recedes from the teeth, exposing more of their roots and loosening them.
Medications or age may cause a decrease in saliva, which is the body's natural way of helping to keep the mouth clean.
What can we do?
It is important for older adults to continue with careful oral hygiene. Floss daily and brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in older people as well as in children. Drinking lots of fluid will help keep the mouth moist. Be sure to see a dentist at least every six months to have them professionally cleaned, to check for early decay, for oral cancer, and for gum recession which may need treating.
If you live in the Chicago area, please contact us at the Colonial Dental Group to schedule a consultation. You might save yourself a great deal of pain, inconvenience and money by catching dental problems early.
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