With this aging comes another round of being more cavity prone along with other oral problems. Our dental clinics in Southern Missouri are here to help you become aware of these changes and give you tips on how to prevent them.
As you age, you may find yourself being prescribed more medications to take by your doctor. With some of these medications comes the side effect of dry mouth. Due to the small amount of saliva being produced during dry mouth, foods and bacteria can stay in your mouth longer which leads to an increased chance of a cavity popping up. Make sure to let your dentist know about all the medications you take and about any medical changes.
Gum Disease
Gum disease becomes more common with age also. It becomes an issue when the bacteria in plaque causes the gums to become irritated and swell. Unfortunately, gum disease is often painless until it reaches a certain stage, so it can go undetected for a while. During advanced stages of gum disease, the gums pull away from the teeth, allowing food and other particles to get caught within these pockets. Gum disease can destroy gums, bones, and ligaments that hold teeth in place, causing tooth loss.
Unfortunately, teeth coloring is also common with age. The dentin, which is the core tissue in your teeth, becomes more yellow over time. The outside enamel on teeth then thins with age, causing the coloring of the dentin to show through. Eating and drinking certain things like coffee, wine, sodas, tea, certain fruits and vegetables, and tobacco can also yellow teeth. Cutting back on these foods, drinking lots of water, and professional whitening can help you maintain a sparkling smile.
Wear & Tear
Despite how careful you are, teeth usually wear down over time. You can help control the amount of wear and tear by watching what you eat. Chewing on ice can create enamel chips or completely break off teeth. While this may be a hard habit to break, if you want to avoid wear, you’ll want to ditch this habit. Teeth can also be worn down by a poor bite or night-time grinding. Dental appliances can help prevent the damages caused by these.
Teeth Shift
Teeth also begin to shift with age. The two front lower teeth are often the first to shift due to the pressure on your teeth that are caused by wear and tear. Teeth shifting causes loss of bone, which causes gums to recede. A lot of stress that comes with aging is taken out on the jaw through grinding and clenching, which can cause worn down enamel and chipped teeth. Getting appliances to protect your teeth from clenching and grinding in the night can help prevent teeth shift also.
The best thing that you can do to prevent the problems that come with aging teeth is to schedule regular dentist visits. Going to the dentist on a regular basis can help catch things like cavities and gum disease early while they are more easily treatable.
You can count on Access Dental & Dentures for all of your dental needs. With regular visits and a good dental care routine, you can protect your bright smile. Visit one of our dental offices in Missouri today for top dental care from people that care about you and your smile.
We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!
1-877-DENTIST
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Springfield Office Rolla Office Osage Beach Office
(417) 501-1048 (573) 426-5447 (573) 348-1466
1701 West Sunshine 416 S. Bishop Ave. 4320 Osage Beach Pkwy
Springfield, MO 65807 Rolla, MO 65401 Osage Beach, MO. 65065
Mountain Grove Office Aurora Office
(417) 926-1160 (417) 308-3534
921-A N. Main 1402 S. Elliott
Mountain Grove, MO 65711 Aurora, MO 65605
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