How the Aging Process Affects Your Dental Health
The natural aging process is the cause of many different kinds of dental problems, both aesthetically and in terms of your overall dental health and wellness. Brushing and flossing regularly and avoiding bad habits will help you have a healthy mouth for many years, but sometimes the effects of age are unavoidable to a certain degree.
Dr. Bruce Wilderman has helped countless elderly patients in and around Philadelphia have the healthiest smiles possible, offering state-of-the-art preventative and general dentistry as well as cosmetic and restorative procedures. Below are just a few of the ways that the natural aging process can affect your smile.
Wear and Tear on the Teeth
Biting, chewing, and cases of teeth grinding can lead to chips, cracks, and damage to your tooth structure. Your teeth may be weaker or even broken because of this regular wear on the teeth. In addition, cavities and tooth decay can lead to weaker teeth with time, making chips, cracks, and more serious damage more likely.
Gum Recession and Disease
In addition to issues with tooth structure and wear and tear, people's gum are often affected in many ways by the aging process. Gum disease can become a major issue, especially if a person was a smoker or used chewing tobacco for years. Gum recession may also occur, exposing more of a tooth's root structure to potential harm and decay.
Tooth Discoloration
Over time, people's teeth tend to get yellower and dingier. This is linked to tobacco products, certainly, but also common foods and beverages we have everyday, such as coffee, tea, blueberries, and tomatoes. Tooth decay and other issues can similarly result in tooth discoloration over a long period of time.
Tooth Loss
As people get older and experience more issues with tooth damage and gum recession, it's possible that they may also experience tooth loss. Sometimes just one or two teeth fall out with age, while other times people lose the majority of their teeth. In such cases, the best option to restore the appearance of the smile and general ability to eat and speak properly is to get a denture or dental bridge.
Increasing Issues with Dry Mouth
Many elderly people notice frequent issues with dry mouth in advanced age, which is caused by a slow down in the production of saliva. This is natural, and it can make eating and speaking difficult, not to mention being an annoyance in and of itself. What's more, dry mouth can actually make dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay much worse.
Regular Dental Visits Are More Crucial Than Ever
As you get older and face more dental health challenges, visiting your dentist is more important than ever. Each visit will focus on ways of improving your dental wellness and providing tips on how to keep your smile healthy during your golden years. Since serious dental pathologies such as oral cancer may occur with advanced age, we'll also carefully screen for major dental health concerns and help you get the right treatment promptly.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Bruce Wilderman
For more information about your dental treatment options for various matters, it's important that you contact our advanced dental care center today. Dr. Bruce Wilderman will help you have a smile that's healthy as well as beautiful.
