Do you look older than you feel? If you’ve tried anti-aging products but something is still missing, you might need to look at your teeth. Changes in your body when you age can affect your teeth, as can the accumulation of daily wear. Have you thought about addressing your age related dental health changes? Dr. James Fondriest, a cosmetic dentist serving Chicago’s North Shore, can help you keep your teeth healthy and beautiful, no matter what your age.
The first blog in this series covered acid erosion and mechanical wear. Today, we will talk about how tooth stains, gum disease, and dry mouth can cause your teeth to age.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
About 80 percent of adults have some form of gum disease. The dental condition can ravage your teeth and damage the connective tissues that secure teeth and cause tooth and bone loss. A proper hygiene routine, which includes proper brushing and flossing as well as regular dental checkups, can keep gum disease at bay. Because gum disease is an inflammatory disorder, eating a diet rich in omega-3s, found in foods like fish and flax seed, can protect you.
Gum disease can cause your gums to receed. With recession, it becomes more difficult to clean between your teeth. The exposed roots have uneven surfaces with deep grooves that the floss won’t clean. Your dental hygienist will often recommend interdental brushes, also called proxybrushes. These brushes do a great job of cleaning between the back teeth.
How to Prevent Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, called “xerostemia,” affects about 50 percent of Americans at some point. Xerostemia increases the risk for gum disease and decay because saliva cleans the mouth, and it neutralizes bacteria and acid. Though dry mouth is associated with aging, over 800 types of medication can cause the condition and are its main cause. Speak to Dr. Fondriest and your physician about your issue. A change in medication could alleviate the problem, as could oral mouthwashes and sugar-free gums and candies.
How to Prevent Tooth Stains
We’ve talked about foods that cause tooth stains in a past blog post. Though stains are more of a cosmetic issue than one of dental health, they are often a sign of an underlying dental problem: plaque buildup.
To avoid stains, avoid foods that cause them. Highly pigmented foods like berries, popsicles, and tomatoes can stain teeth, as can beverages like coffee, soda, and tea. Some of these foods also provide health benefits, so rinse your mouth with water after eating them to prevent stains.
Just as they can fight gum disease, a proper oral health routine at home and regular dental visits can keep your teeth clean and white. But if your teeth are still do not meet your color standards, Dr. Fondriest offers cosmetic dental procedures like professional tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, bonding, and dental crowns, all of which can give you a brighter, more youthful smile.
Learn more about dental health changes with age
If the above issues have already caused your teeth to age and become damaged, Dr. Fondriest offers a variety of cosmetic and restorative dental procedures to repair them and make you look years younger. Call our Lake Forest, IL, dental practice today 847.234.0517. We serve patients in the North Shore and greater Chicago areas.