Family Dentistry Info: How Your Teeth Change as You Get Older

The goal of our family dentistry office is to build strong relationships and provide optimal oral care for patients of all ages. Teeth go through many changes throughout life, and these changes start as early as infancy. Our highly trained, compassionate staff members want to make sure every patient is taken care of. Care will vary as patients age, so knowing what to expect when your teeth enter adulthood and beyond is valuable knowledge to have.

The first set of teeth begins to emerge in infancy. After a short period of about six years, baby teeth will start to fall out. The last baby tooth is usually lost around age 12. However, each person is different. The emergence of the first and second sets of teeth earlier or later than this exact time frame is not an uncommon occurrence. Once all adult teeth come in, the mouth still goes through gradual alterations, even as a senior.

Aging teeth need optimal care

Taking care of your teeth becomes more important as you age. Subtle changes start to happen as we grow older. The nerves in teeth become smaller, making teeth much less sensitive. Although pain is mostly seen as a nuisance, it plays an important role in oral health. When problems arise, the teeth are alerted through the nerve. For instance, teeth with cavities will feel sensitive when exposed to cold, hot and even sweet foods. Without this pain, tooth decay can go unnoticed for long periods of time.

This is why it is imperative to come to our family dentistry office every six months for a professional deep cleaning. Not only will we be able to clean your teeth thoroughly and carefully, but we can identify and treat any dental issues before they get worse.

It is a myth that tooth loss is inevitable as we get older. With proper maintenance and attention, teeth can last a lifetime.

Tips from a family dentistry for proper oral care in older patients

Brush your teeth

Brushing twice each day with a soft-bristled brush, morning and night, is an excellent way to keep tooth decay at bay. Enamel tends to thin as we age, so using a fluoride toothpaste will fortify the enamel. An electric toothbrush is an excellent tool for those who have limited movement.

Floss

Flossing once daily will loosen wedged food particles and decrease the occurrence of cavities between teeth.

Quit smoking

All tobacco products are bad for health and smoking is among the worst. Putting down the cigarettes for good will vastly improve your oral and overall health.

Clean appliances

Bacteria can easily build up on these devices. If you wear removable dentures or bridges, be sure to clean them thoroughly each day and take them out at night to give the mouth a break.

Drink water

Drinking plenty of water daily will rehydrate the mouth and allow for proper salivary production. Saliva serves an important function in maintaining oral health. This helpful fluid rinses the teeth and staves off bacteria that causes tooth decay. Drinking tap water has added benefits, as it contains fluoride and supplies a boost of strength to the enamel.

Visit the dentist

This is arguably the most important part of keeping up with oral health. Receiving dental cleanings twice per year can keep teeth looking and feeling healthy for longer.