Keeping Whiter Teeth As You Age

While your teeth are incredibly strong, they’re not unbreakable. As we age, the outer layer of enamel wears away because of regular use. The biting edges become flatter as well. In addition, eating citrus foods and drinking wine, pop, or other acidic beverages can wear away the enamel further. Once the enamel has been weakened, it’s more likely pieces of teeth may break off, leaving the delicate pulp tissue susceptible to inflammation and irritation. The gums may also pull away from the teeth, leaving more of the surface open to bacteria and cavities, which can leave more of the pulp exposed. Since sensitivity in the teeth reduces as we age, you might not be prompted to do anything about the problem until it’s quite advanced, which can lead to the necessity of a root canal or removal of the tooth entirely. 

If you grew up before the advent of dental sealants and fluoride products, you’re more likely to get cavities. If you had fillings when you were a child or younger adult, the material used in these fillings can wear down and leave the edges around the filling prime for developing decay. Preventing these issues is basically taking care of your teeth the way you were taught when you were young. Brush, floss, and have a full cleaning done at a dentist’s office every six months, or every year at the very least. 

If you’re taking one of the many medications that causes dry mouth, you’re also at greater risk for tooth decay. If this is the case, you might ask your doctor if there is a replacement medication that may not cause dry mouth, but it’s likely you’ll just have to deal with it. To prevent decay, however, you can take up chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugar-free candies to promote salivation. Drinking more water can also be beneficial, especially if you hold it in your mouth for a few beats before swallowing it. Make sure to use toothpaste and other dental products with fluoride, which can help rebuild the minerals that make up enamel. Fluoride can also keep plaque, which is full of bacteria, from adhering to the teeth. Your dentist can offer professional-strength fluoride treatments if the damage is serious, as these can help slow down the decay and in some cases, even reverse it.

It’s important to deal with these dental maladies when they come up, as there is a connection between oral health and things like heart disease, diabetes, and strokes. Scientists aren’t entirely certain how these are connected, but it may be that bacteria that enters at the gums travels through our bodies to cause problems in these areas and more.

Aging with white teeth is more of a cosmetic concern that can help improve important areas of mental health like self-confidence and social connections, and it can even help with your dating life.