Everyone knows that we first grow a set of small baby teeth, and we eventually lose them to make room for our permanent teeth to erupt and grow. But how exactly do our permanent teeth change as we age?
Between grinding, coffee stains, and even gravity – our teeth endure a lot. By the time we reach our late 30s or 40s, we may start to notice a number of conditions affecting our teeth.
Weakening enamel
Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body, but it’s not indestructible. Enamel weakens over time as you grind your teeth and chew your food. The older your teeth are, the more likely they will break or crack.
Discoloration of teeth
Red wine, coffee, and tea stain your teeth and contribute to the yellowing of teeth as you age. Some of this discoloration is unavoidable because yellow dentin becomes even more yellow as we get older. Over time, this dentin layer becomes more pronounced. There are various whitening techniques available if you are interested in making your teeth whiter again.
Narrowing dental arches and shifting teeth
As the muscles in your face begin to droop with age, the changes of pressures on your teeth can cause them to shift due to narrowing dental arches and further crowding of misaligned teeth. These changes can be viewed as just a part of growing older, but if you want or need to reverse some of this damage, orthodontics help. Talk to us about options available to you.
At any age, taking proper care of your teeth is the best way to minimize changes to them over time. Regular trips to our office and brushing and flossing twice daily will make a significant impact on the health of your teeth throughout your life.
If you’re overdue for a dental cleaning please contact our office and we’ll get you on our schedule as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Roberts
Recent Comments