How the teeth change with time, and how you can take care of them

How the teeth change with time, and how you can take care of them : Time changes tings, including your body and teeth – they get older and weaker. The everyday wear and tear your teeth go through changes their composition, and therefore their strength.

However, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your teeth stay in shape and remain younger for longer. When you follow these guidelines, you can ensure they look great and you can continue smiling – even as you grow older.

Reduce the wear and tear

The teeth are not weaklings – in fact, they are one of the strongest components that your body has. However, that does not make them invincible to the rigors of wear and tear, as they still suffer from it. All the time you spend chewing, biting, and grinding makes the enamel – the outer layer of the teeth – wear down. It will also flatten the parts that you use to chew food and bite it.

Even though you cannot turn back time and erase all the damage the teeth have endured in your lifetime unless you go to a dentist, you can still prevent it from speeding up. One of these is avoiding the chewing of very hard foods or ice, as they can lead to chips within the enamel and even break the teeth in some circumstances – a very painful sensation to have.

Even poor bites can wear out teeth, and this will require orthodontic work to restore the teeth, as well as bruxism or nighttime grinding – which means you will require a night guard when you sleep. Make sure to talk to your dentist about the different options available for your case.

Maintain the health of your gums

There is an irritating buildup of bacteria called plaque, which always forms on the teeth and gums. While you cannot prevent the formation of plaque, it is very important to take measures to stop it from building up, as it can lead to swelling, soreness and even bleeding in the gums. If left to spread, it can lead to infections that cause extensive damage to the underlying bones of the jaw.

When you visit a dentist in Phoenix, for instance, they will treat the resulting disease, known as periodontitis. Leaving it unchecked will cause extensive harm to the gums and bones. When this happens, you need to have your teeth removed.

The signs of disease in the gums includes bad breath, bleeding when you brush your teeth, loose teeth, and receding gums. The best way to prevent this from happening is brushing your teeth twice daily and making sure to floss, as well as quitting smoking.

Do not allow the mouth to dry out

Saliva may seem like something you take for granted, but it has immense importance in keeping your mouth healthy and your teeth strong. It cleans the teeth and therefore plays a major role in preventing decay.

However, as you grow older, you produce less saliva and the mouth gets drier, while the chances of tooth decay increase. This might be due to several factors, such as medication (using many drugs dries out the mouth), as well as many others.

To reduce the chances of this occurring, you need to incorporate the drinking of more water. Hold it in the mouth for some seconds before you swallow it, or chew sugarless gum. If drugs are the reason for a dry mouth, consult with your doctor about changing them.

Treat sensitive teeth with care

Some people have sensitive teeth, while others develop sensitive teeth over time due to tooth decay, a worn out enamel, as well as problems with the gum. They usually hurt when you are taking hot or cold foods, and can even hurt when you brush the teeth too hard.

The best way to reduce the occurrence or manage it is taking good care of the teeth. Make sure to pay your dentist regular visits, and floss and brush the teeth. There are also special toothpastes that you can use that cater to sensitive teeth, which can make you more comfortable when brushing your teeth. You can find out more information on sensitive teeth and implant restoration in avon lake.

Avoid over brushing the teeth

While brushing your teeth every day is a good thing, too much of a good thing is bad for you, including brushing teeth. If you brush more than twice daily, and brush for more than four minutes in total, the enamel of your teeth can wear down.

When the enamel is not present, the immediate lower layer called dentin is exposed, and this is very painful. This layer has very small holes that lead to nerve endings, which can have all sorts of pain when they are triggered by anything. In fact, this is a common problem, as the CDCP (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report that almost one-fifth of adults in the United States have had sensitivity and pain within their teeth.

Note all the foods that contain acid

All juices, citrus fruits and fizzy drinks have acids within them, such as citric acid. When you eat them and fail to clean your teeth over some time, the buildup will cause the bacteria in your mouth to make acid. In addition, starchy foods and sugary foods are also culprits in the buildup of acid.

When you take these foods, do not swish them around your mouth as you would with water. Instead, follow them up with ‘alkaline’ foods such as cheese or milk, as these will ‘cancel’ out the acid. As for your main meals, include starchy and sugary foods within them, and avoid eating them as snacks. This is because the mouth will be making sufficient levels of saliva, which will wash away the acid.

Note the occurrence of cancer

The older you get, the more you have a chance of developing cancers in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. The best way you can prevent this from happening is using lip balms with sunscreen when you go outside, reduce your intake of alcohol, and stop smoking. You may not feel pain early on, so make sure to see your dentist regularly.

Final thoughts

Taking care of your oral health is a very important task, and it is important to do regular checkups. The older you get, the more susceptible you are to certain illnesses, so caring for your teeth will ensure you continue looking good as time goes by.