Don't be fooled into thinking that only the older folks suffer from teeth aging. While teeth aging is a natural process that comes along with age, it's not merely exclusive to older people. If you are not conscientious with keeping your teeth healthy, your teeth may start aging much sooner than you think.
And when that happens, do you know what are the signs to look out for?
1. Wear and Tear
In general, teeth becomes less white and more brittle with age. Teeth also becomes more susceptible to staining, which is pretty inevitable with aging. While there isn't much that one can do to stop this process, the general level of staining can be reduced if one avoids tobacco, coffee and tea. As the underlying dentine (a calcified tissue that is one of the main components of teeth) in teeth thicken with age, it darkens and turns yellow and shows through the relatively thin layer of the enamel.
With time, the enamel on the teeth is subjected to wear due to chewing, grinding, and acidic foods, causing teeth to generally become more sensitive and brittle. And when the teeth are brittle, they are susceptible to cracks, fractures, and shearing even during the course of normal chewing.
2. Periodontal Disease
Otherwise known as gum disease, periodontal disease causes inflammation in your gums and if untreated, will cause them to recede, as well as contributing to tooth root decay.
Eventually, it affects your jawbones and your teeth will weaken and drop out. It is now even believed that periodontal disease can contribute to organ failure and inflammation in other parts of the body, through bacteria in the bloodstream.
3. Receding Gums and Plaque Buildup
Old age is one of the main contributing factors to receding gums, especially if a person's gums are already suffering from periodontal disease or have been subject to too-forceful brushing. Receding gums can increase the risk of tooth decay.
In addition, plaque build up increases as you age and this sticky layer of bacteria can also encourage dental decay.
Any old fillings you may have had may start to fracture and will probably need repair, otherwise they allow bacteria to accumulate in tiny crevices.
Knowing the signs of teeth aging is the first step to understanding how to take proper care of your teeth.
Only with the right methods of teeth care would you be able to enjoy a healthy set of teeth even through your old age!
