| How Aging Affects your Teeth |
As you age, the health of your teeth and gums could change too; the good news is that not everyone loses their teeth or suffers from numerous oral health issues as they approach their senior years. As long as they continue to take proper care of their teeth and see the dentist every six months, the chances of keeping all or most of their teeth increases. Two of the most common issues that occur in an aging person's mouth include teeth that break and gum disease.
Weaker Teeth
The good news is that teeth do not normally get weaker as you age. What does occur, however, is normal wear and tear that can make teeth more vulnerable. Teeth that have had work done to them, such as a root canal or filling are also more at risk for breakage. If you use these teeth to bite down on something hard, whether it is something that was intentional or an accidental, like a popcorn kernel, it can cause chips or cracks in your teeth. Keeping up with your regular dental appointments can help to locate those weaker spots and allow us to prescribe the appropriate treatment to prevent them from causing problems in the future.
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the most prevalent oral health issues in aging adults. When deep pockets begin to form below the line, the gum tissue and bone can become diseased, causing inflammation and even tooth loss. It is very important to continue brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, watching your diet and seeing the dentist every six months to ensure the health and wellness of your gums.
Taking good care of your teeth now and well into your senior years is the best way to ensure optimal oral health no matter how old you are! |
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| A Myth That Sugarcoats the Truth
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Many people think that tooth decay is related to the amount of sugar a person consumes.
In fact, though, according to faculty at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, it's not the amount of sugar but the time sugar remains on the teeth that is the culprit in tooth decay.
Prolonged use of soft drinks over the course of a day and eating slow-to-dissolve candy allows bacteria that are harmful to teeth to multiply. Limiting your intake of all forms of sugar to specific times followed by brushing can help you keep your teeth healthy.
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| Red Wine is Not a Cavity Fighter |
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Recent research was trying to prove that red wine played a role in fighting cavities, but the findings were incomplete. While red wine does fight two certain bacteria that affect oral health, namely gum disease, it does not fight the bacteria that causes cavities. The most recent findings went on to explain that while red wine does fight two bacteria that cause gum disease, it takes more than the simple act of drinking the wine to make a difference; the subjects actually had to hold the wine in their mouth for two minutes every seven hours, not a likely scenario for any of us. So don't hold your breath, keep brushing and flossing!
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