Aging and teeth symptoms are common with the advancing years, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep your smile bright for years to come. How can you keep your mouth young as you get older? As you age you encounter higher rates of gum disease, dental decay, mouth infections, and tooth loss than your younger counterparts.

A century ago the need for dentures in later life was a given fact. In today’s world, three-quarters of people over 65 are able to retain at least some of their natural teeth. The following are some ways to offset the problems that come with aging and teeth challenges:

Combat Aging and Teeth Complications with Good Oral Hygiene

Taking care of your teeth and gums are the same founding principles, regardless of your age.

• Brush with a soft bristle toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two minutes each time and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
• Floss once a day, preferably at bedtime
• Have regular cleanings at the dentist’s office

Taking care of your gums is also important at any age.  Aging and teeth complications include periodontal disease–infection of the structures around the teeth, including the gums. Periodontal disease is the primary cause of tooth loss among older adults. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease — gingivitis — the infection affects the gums, which naturally recede as you age. Although age isn’t the cause of periodontal disease, without regular checkups at the dentist’s office, it goes undetected and compounds the problem. Research links periodontal disease to tooth loss, heart disease, stroke, and in some cases, death.

Regular Dental Check-Ups

Even the healthiest patients need regular dental checkups. A visit to Dr. Shane S. Porter of Premier Dentistry of Eagle can help you keep your mouth healthy and avoid aging and teeth problems. One of the most important parts of the dental checkup is a thorough cleaning of your teeth, gums and mouth. If gum disease is present, a deeper cleaning of the gums may be needed. Routine checkups are usually recommended every 6 months to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. Regular appointments allow you and Dr. Porter to stay on top of any problems that may arise.

Limit Foods That Are Acidic

If you are 65 years old, your teeth have been chewing, gnawing and crunching for close to twenty-four thousand days. Although your teeth are strong, they are not indestructible. Exposing your teeth to acidic foods dissolves the protective enamel and weakened enamel can cause aging and teeth related dental problems.

Eating too many high acidic foods can damage the tooth enamel, which exposes the inner layer of your teeth. When the inner layer of your tooth is exposed, the nerve center is more exposed and vulnerable. These dental habits apply to individuals in every age category, although aging causes your teeth to be more vulnerable. The chance of having tooth damage severe enough to require a root canal or similarly invasive procedure triples once you’re over age 65.  Some acidic foods to avoid include:

• Alcohol – Wine
• Carbonated beverages
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Cranberries
• Pickles and Pickled products
• Tomato products (pasta sauce, ketchup, salsa and hot sauce)

To combat the effects of eating acidic foods, eat them with foods that have low acidity. These foods neutralize acids and provide the calcium and phosphorus needed to put minerals back in the teeth:

• Nuts
• Cheese
• Oatmeal
• Non-acidic fruit: mangos, melons, bananas, and apples
• Eggs
• Vegetables
• Whole grains, brown rice
• Fish and lean meats

For more information on the effects that acidic foods have on your teeth, follow this link.

Have Your Pearly Whites Faded?

If your once-vibrant smile has dimmed over time, maybe it’s time to whiten your teeth. Tooth enamel gets stained by coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco along with some foods and causes discoloration over the years. Regardless of the cause, stained teeth can cause you to appear older. Before deciding on a bleaching method, consult with Dr. Porter. The effectiveness of different bleaching techniques can vary with the type of discoloration.

Premier Dentistry of Eagle offers ZOOM! teeth whitening, a quick and professional in-office whitening treatment that can brighten your smile up to eight shades after just one treatment! If you are interested in achieving a whiter, more beautiful smile, contact Dr. Porter at (208) 546-0655 to schedule an appointment. 

Medications Can Cause Dry Mouth

Aging often means you take multiple medications, which can be damaging to your oral health. Many medications cause dry mouth, which is more than just uncomfortable. Dry mouth causes bad breath, can lead to irritation and infection of oral tissues and raises your risk for gum disease and tooth decay. New cavities can begin to form within as little as three months after dry mouth begins so you need to be especially conscientious about brushing and flossing. The following are a few tips to combat dry mouth:

• Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candies.
• Drink more water, holding it in your mouth for a few seconds before you swallow.
• Alcohol and caffeinated beverages dry out the mouth, so limit your intake.
• Tobacco is also drying, which gives you another reason to quit smoking.

Keeping your mouth young as you age requires greater diligence on your part. Neglecting oral health causes problems at any age, but as you get older, the problems get worse. If you have concerns about aging and your teeth, get your questions answered during a visit to our office! Dr. Porter is pleased to provide comprehensive dental treatments to meet all of your dental needs.

Located at 467 South Rivershore Lane in Eagle, Idaho, we treat patients of all ages in the communities of Eagle, Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Star and Garden Valley. Call Premier Dentistry of Eagle at 208-546-0655 to schedule an appointment and let Dr. Porter help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile regardless of your age.