Teeth are essential in a person’s life for a plethora of reasons. First, they help with talking, biting, and chewing; they also enhance a person’s smile. However, there is a misconception that as people age, their teeth fall out. While old age is significantly associated with tooth loss, this problem is preventable or delayable. Teeth do change in specific ways with changes in age. Being aware of these changes and taking the necessary protective measures for your teeth is essential in avoiding tooth loss. Find out more below about how teeth change as you age.
Changes that Take Place in the Teeth Throughout Life
Teeth change with different age limits an individual reaches. However, sometimes people are so immersed in their lives that they do not realize these changes occur, or even if they do, they do not take them as seriously. These are the different changes your teeth go through.
Wear
Teeth endure a lot of wear and tear over time because of the different duties. For instance, chewing every day may seem like a common and normal thing, but it eventually wears out your teeth.
Discoloration
As you age, you encounter tooth discoloration, which is a common and normal thing. This is because, over some time, the tooth’s enamel wears off, exposing the tooth’s dentin which is naturally yellow. In addition, people often consume drinks and foods that contribute to staining such as red wine and coffee.
Gum Recession
As old age sets in, muscle and bone loss becomes inevitable. Gum recession is often the result of losing bone and muscles around your face and jaw areas. When the gum recession is severe, it may cause loose gums, eventually leading to teeth falling off.
Smaller Nerves in Teeth
As individuals age, the nerves in their teeth become smaller, which is a problem. Why? When the nerves are smaller, the teeth become less sensitive. With less sensitivity, the elderly can rarely feel toothaches or tooth decay, giving the cavities a lot of time to keep destroying the teeth. Luckily, the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa has lifelong preventive care that will ensure your teeth remain healthy and restored at any stage of your life.
Teeth Development During all Stages
While having healthy teeth is essential in life, it is also essential to understand the different types of teeth one gets to have throughout their life.
Teeth Development in Childhood
Children are not born with any teeth except bare gum. However, the milk teeth, the baby’s first teeth, start to form before they are born. When they reach around 6 to 12 months old, these milk teeth erupt. By the time they reach around three years, they will have a complete set of 20 milk teeth in their mouth; they can easily bite and chew at this stage.
The set remains intact for several years. It is vital to keep these teeth clean and healthy to help them eat, talk, and to avoid any problems when it is time for adult teeth. At the ages of 5 and 6, the milk teeth gradually start to fall off as adult teeth grow shortly after.
Teeth Development in Adolescence
After the permanent teeth grow in place of the milk teeth, the other types of teeth begin to set in as well. This may take time. At 9 to 13 years, the first canine teeth begin to grow, followed by the premolars. At this age, the teeth are pretty strong.. At the age of 11 to 13, the second molar erupts.
Teeth Development in Adulthood
The total number of adult teeth is 32; this includes the wisdom teeth, which grow at the back of the mouth. They usually grow much later in life, between ages 17 to 21. However, there are some cases where the wisdom teeth do not grow. Visiting the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa will help you understand the progress of your wisdom teeth. This can be through an X-ray which will show their position and if they are ready to erupt.
Teeth Development in the Senior Stage
With the increase in age, all the teeth are now grown. However, they start to move. This may seem strange, but this is because the bones in the lower and upper jaws begin to get weak with age. As the bone becomes weaker, the teeth start to move and turn. At the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa, you can get help to manage this situation.
Common Changes to Expect with the Changes in Your Teeth
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is usually uncomfortable to experience, but it is important to understand that dry mouth also affects your teeth. Dry mouth may result from medication, caffeine, or cigarettes. Additionally, the salivary glands tend to produce less saliva with an increase in age.
Maintenance Drugs
Many senior citizens are often on medication for health issues. Unfortunately, these medications can cause severe problems in oral health like tooth decay, discoloration, and dry mouth.
Risk of Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Excessive alcohol use and smoking are significant risk factors for your teeth. Adults who smoke and drink have high chances of poor oral health, including tooth loss and gum disease.
Final Verdict
Some of the changes in the teeth due to age are inevitable; you cannot escape them. However, early interventions can prevent others. You can minimize some changes with proper oral routines. Our team at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa can give you a detailed routine check-up to ensure your teeth are always supervised and receiving proper care. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
