You are getting older and as such your teeth are ageing as well. Changes to your teeth occur at every stage of life and with a higher birthday number comes the need to be more aware of your oral health. As you age, you are at higher risk for dental concerns. What changes to your teeth, gums and jaw should you be aware of? How can you take control of your dental metamorphosis?
With ageing comes life changes and your teeth begin to act out. Justas you might have rebelled when you were a teenager, your teeth often rebel against you later in life. Your oral structure begins to deteriorate and shift the older you get.
Periodontal Disease
Over time, you could lose bone and notice changes in your gums. It is best to talk to your dentist about receding gums as soon as possible to avoid dangerous periodontitis. The more extensive your gum loss, the higher the chance of you losing your teeth due to little or no bone support. Your dentist will recommend a treatment to help alleviateissues with gum disease.
Wear and Tear
As your 50th birthday rolls around, you may notice a change in the appearance of your teeth. Your top teeth might start to look shorter and more of your bottom teeth can begin to show. How did this happen? As your body loses bone mass, your teeth deteriorate giving the appearance of shorter upper teeth. Receding gums will cause your lower teeth to look longer.
Changes to your teeth may cause you to grind them resulting in further deterioration. Be aware of maintaining good oral hygiene into your golden years to avoid any detrimental issues. Justbecause you are older doesn’t mean you can stop visiting the dentist regularly. Routine cleanings and check-ups help keep your teeth functioning properlyat every stage of life.
Dry Mouth
Changes in your body affect your teeth and gums. Hormone fluctuations and age-related diseases can cause issues with your oral health. Certain medications that ward off diseases can be the culprit of dry mouth. Even if you have been taking medications for years, a compounding effect can compile into bigger problems. Check with your dentist for treatments and options to alleviatedry mouth while on medication.
Stress and bad habits like nail biting, smoking and chowing down on sweets will take a toll on your oral health. To avoid problems associated with your vices, it is important to maintain a good oral health routine. Take care of your teeth unless you are striving for the toothless look when you are an elderly person. How do you take care of your teeth?
- Brush your teeth daily
- Floss daily
- Avoid eating extremelyhard foods and drinking lots of alcohol
- Visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings, about every 6 months
Take charge of your dental situation so you can be a grandparent with all ofher/his healthy teeth. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist about ways to keep your teeth looking and feeling their best!
