Show Your Teeth & Gums Some Love
I looked in the mirror a few years ago and thought to myself, “I have old people teeth!” Yikes! How did that happen? And more importantly, what could I do about it? The first step for me was braces…I tried Invisalign and ended up with traditional braces due to a reaction to the plastic. Worth it? Absolutely!
Cosmetic concerns (and vanity) aside, oral health in midlife is important. However, good oral care is yet another thing which can get pushed to the side during midlife. When you are running 3 kids to their own dentist and orthodontic appointments, who has time for their own dentist? But you really, really must make the time.
Why? Because the time you invest now will pay off in a beautiful smile and better health longer-term.
Your Midlife Mouth
By the time you reach midlife, you might have noticed changes to your teeth and gums.
Your teeth have probably moved (that’s why I got braces); often this results in your teeth being more crowded as the jaw moves forward and gets narrower with age. Grinding your teeth, years of eating and drinking, bone loss, and movement post-orthodontics also can contribute to your teeth moving. Permanent or removable retainers and mouthguards (to prevent grinding) are all viable solutions.
The crowns of your teeth are wearing down. New crowns, dental bonding, and veneers are all ways your dentist can address worn down teeth.
You might be producing less saliva. This is typically caused by dehydration although there are other factors which can contribute.
Your teeth might be getting darker (different from being stained) as the enamel wears away. As the enamel wears away the dentin underneath, which is more yellow, is exposed.
Your gums might be receding which makes you more sensitive to cold, water, and air. Bone regeneration and gum grafts are 2 procedures to address severe gum recession. This article goes into more detail on surgical and non-surgical ways to treat gum recession.
Your teeth look stained from eating foods like dark chocolate, red wine, coffee, and soda. I’m guilty of all but soda. There are many options for whitening your teeth from toothpaste to in-office procedures.
Periodontitis (aka Gum Disease)
Your arch nemesis, whether you know it or not, is plaque. “Plaque is a thin, invisible, sticky film of bacteria and other materials. It covers all the surfaces of all your teeth. When sugars or starches in your mouth come in contact with plaque, acids form…Repeated attacks can break down the hard enamel on the surface of teeth. This leads to tooth decay. The bacteria in plaque also triggers an inflammatory response. This causes the breakdown of the gums, bone, and other supporting structures of your teeth.”
Studies have linked gum disease (periodontitis) with an increased risk of developing heart disease and “periodontal disease is the greatest cause of tooth loss after age 45.”
Per WebMD, signs of gum disease include:
Bleeding when you brush your teeth
Gums that recede, or pull back from your teeth
Loose teeth
Bad breath
Prevention
Like with most things in life, prevention is the best strategy. Fortunately, there are several easy steps you can take to ensure the health of your teeth and gums.
Diet
Eat foods which support good oral health. This includes crunchy foods like celery, carrots, apples, leafy greens, and cheese (the latter neutralizes the acid in your teeth) to help scrub plaque off your teeth.
And avoid sugary and starchy foods which create acid in your mouth which creates plaque and wears away tooth enamel. Items in this category include soft bread, chips, soda, and fruit juices.
Daily Brushing & Flossing
Remove daily plaque buildup with regular brushing and flossing. Most dentists recommend brushing at least 2 times a day and flossing once a day. But don’t brush too aggressively, which is bad for your gums and ultimately will lead to more sensitivity. And if you do have sensitive teeth, you can try using a desensitizing toothpaste.
Regular checkups
See your dentist for regular checkups, which will include cleaning your teeth and looking for signs of oral cancer. This means at least once per year if not 2 to 3 times per year. Your dentist can advise you on an appropriate schedule. Those with a family history of periodontitis might want to go more frequently.
Stress
Unresolved stress can lead to teeth grinding, also called Bruxism. In addition to wearing away the crowns of your teeth it can also lead to headaches and facial pain.
Increase Saliva
To increase saliva in your mouth, your body’s first defense against plaque, stay hydrated, try holding water in your mouth for a few seconds, and suck on sugarless candy. Please note certain drugs can negatively impact saliva production.
Parting Thought
Please go to the dentist! Just a few simple steps can help protect your teeth and gums to help ensure a beautiful smile for years and years.
See you next week…
