Age and Dental health

Age and dental health are closely linked, and as we grow older, our oral care needs evolve. The best dentists in Mumbai emphasize that while aging is inevitable, losing teeth is not. With proper care, you can maintain strong teeth and healthy gums well into your senior years.

How Age Affects Your Dental Health

1. Tooth Wear and Enamel Erosion

Our teeth endure years of chewing, grinding, and exposure to acidic foods and beverages. Over time, this wears down the enamel, making teeth more prone to cavities, fractures, and sensitivity.

2. Increased Risk of Cavities

Many people assume cavities are only a childhood problem, but age and dental health are closely connected when it comes to tooth decay. Older adults often develop cavities along the gumline due to gum recession, exposing the softer root surface.

3. Gum Recession and Sensitivity

As we age, our gums naturally recede, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and a higher risk of gum disease. This exposes the roots of teeth, which lack the protective enamel that covers the rest of the tooth.

4. Tooth Discoloration

Over time, the enamel on our teeth becomes thinner, allowing the yellowish dentin beneath to show through. Factors like coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking further contribute to tooth staining.

5. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Aging and certain medications can reduce saliva production, leading to dry mouth. Since saliva plays a crucial role in washing away bacteria and neutralizing acids, reduced saliva flow increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Teeth are amazingly strong. Our molars can bear down with over 200 pounds of pressure. But a lifetime of crunching, gnawing and grinding wears away the outer layer of enamel which flattens the biting edges. The best dentists in Mumbai say that exposure to acidic foods such as citrus fruits and carbonated beverages also dissolves the protective enamel and affects tooth surfaces. Weakened enamel can set the stage for more serious dental concerns that damage the overall oral health.

A crack or break on the outer surface of the tooth exposes the delicate pulp tissue to irritation and inflammation. And, since the nerves at the tooth’s core lose sensitivity with age, the problem may be well advanced by the time any symptoms develop.  If an infection develops, you could need a root canal procedure or even lose the tooth entirely.

The best dentists in Mumbai say that “Just because you’ve got a few grey hairs doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods when it comes to cavities, either.” According to them, the rate of tooth decay in older people outpaces that of schoolchildren.

A prime area of developing dental caries in older adults is around the neck of the tooth, next to the gum line. Gum tissue naturally recedes with age, so the soft root tissue becomes exposed, making it more susceptible to cavities

Ageing mouth – You may have also noticed that your once-sparkling smile has dimmed over the years. This change as explained by the best dentists in Mumbai is due to the yellow dentin present inside the tooth that shows up through the enamel, especially as it thins and cracks with age. The enamel itself gets stained by coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.

Pro tips by the best dentists in Mumbai for maintaining and improving Oral Health

• Brush twice a day with a soft bristles toothbrush. 
• Clean between your teeth once a day with floss.
• If you wear full or partial dentures, remember to clean them on a daily basis.  It’s best to remove them at night. 
• Quit smoking. Besides putting you at greater risk for lung and other cancers, smoking increases problems with gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss, which hampers oral health.
• Visit your dentist regularly for a complete dental check-up.

Taking care of your teeth as you age is crucial for maintaining a confident and healthy smile. Visit The Dental Bond for expert dental care and professional advice. Book an Appointment Now!