Are My Teeth Aging?
Q & A By Jacque Genovese
Growing up, my dentist would always tell me how straight my teeth were. My parents were adamant about getting 6-month checkups, a practice that I have continued throughout my adult life. A few years ago I noticed two of my front teeth had shifted. My dentist said, “Your teeth can move as you age.” Say what? I’d taken such good care of my pearly whites over the years that it seemed unfair, but I wasted no time in getting those teeth straightened using Invisalign.
My experience led me to wonder about teeth aging, so I asked Emily Willett, DDS, and Allison Hurlbut, DDS, to answer a variety of my questions.
Why is it important to have regular checkups, cleanings, and dental care as we age?
Dr. Hurlbut: Teeth age just like the rest of our bodies. With normal wear and tear, teeth may develop small cracks and may become weakened. Also, as people age their dexterity worsens which may make it more difficult to properly care for their teeth at home. It’s important to be seen for regular cleanings and exams to ensure teeth are cleaned and gums are healthy.
What is teeth grinding and what are the effects?
Dr. Willett: Doctors are still researching what causes teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Bruxism may be due to a combination of physical and/or genetic factors, such as stress, age, and personality type. Bruxism over time may lead to damaging your teeth and existing tooth restorations like fillings, crowns, or veneers. Correcting bruxism depends on the cause; however, a common treatment includes a custom splint worn nightly. An emerging treatment is the application of botox or other neurotoxins to weaken the muscle enough to stop involuntary grinding and clenching of the teeth.
What causes gums to recede?
Dr. Hurlbut: When the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, it exposes the roots. This can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, periodontitis, smoking, aggressive brushing, or genetics. Protect gums by having proper oral hygiene at home: brush twice daily, and floss once daily and/or water floss. If severe enough, you may need gum grafting surgery to repair the receding.
Why do teeth move and what are treatment options?
Dr. Willett: Teeth move as we age and it is a natural process throughout our lives. Teeth undergo wear and tear from a lifetime of chewing, grinding, and biting. As we age, our bone density changes and our jaw structures are not exempt from this process and changing biology. Decreased bone density can lead to less bony support around the teeth, contributing to their likelihood of shifting. There can also be age-related changes in the size of the jaw structures and the teeth. Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can lead to tooth movement due to a bacterial infection which breaks down the bone that supports our teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to teeth becoming loose due to inadequate bone support. Correcting tooth movement is not always straightforward (pardon the pun!). It is important to get checked by a board-certified orthodontist so they can evaluate a multitude of circumstances and customize a treatment that is safe and efficient for each individual.
What causes dry mouth and how is it prevented?
Dr. Hurlbut: Dry mouth can be caused by medications, auto-immune diseases, smoking, chewing tobacco, and alcohol. Drinking plenty of water can reduce dry mouth. There are also different products available to help with dry mouth such as Biotene, Xylimelts, dry mouth prescription toothpaste, and MI paste.
How does tooth loss impact my bite, jaw, etc.?
Dr. Willett: The impact of lost teeth without replacement can have devastating effects such as esthetic and social concerns, but more importantly can impact nutrition due to difficulties chewing and inadequate digestion. Tooth loss may lead to having an asymmetrical bite and unwanted jaw pain or additional tooth shifting.
Do citrus foods damage tooth enamel?
Dr. Hurlbut: Citrus foods can cause erosion of enamel, sensitivity, and irritated/inflamed gums. Avoid large amounts of high citrus/high acidic foods. Avoid touching citrus foods directly to teeth, e.g., sucking on a lemon. If drinking or eating something acidic, follow by rinsing your mouth out with water and/or wait 15 minutes after consuming, and brush your teeth.
How does chronic disease or medication affect teeth?
Dr. Willett: If you have a chronic disease or take any number of prescription medicines or supplements, there can be significant impacts on your dental health. The most common issues are with chronic diseases like diabetes where there is frequent snacking to manage blood sugar or a significant change in the chemistry of your saliva. Concerns associated with prescription medicines include dry mouth as a common side effect. Inadequate saliva contributes to a poor oral environment where decay can be rapid and severe.
Emily Willett, DDS, is an Orthodontist and owns Lincoln Orthodontics. Allison Hurlbut, DDS, is a Family Dentist and owns Hurlbut Dental in Lincoln.
Emily Willett, DDS
Orthodontist
Lincoln Orthodontics
Allison Hurlbut, DDS
Dentist
Hurlbut Dental in Lincoln