How Teeth Change with Age

As with the rest of our body, our teeth will change as we grow older. Aging has many effects on oral health, including our teeth. While our teeth are very strong, our modern diets and lifestyle habits will affect their structure over time. Our practice is committed to helping our patients establish and maintain good oral health throughout their lives – including their advanced years. From preventive treatments to restorative procedures, our dentist can help you strengthen your teeth.
Enamel Loss
Tooth enamel protects our teeth from decay and breakage. While it is composed of strong minerals, enamel can be damaged. Most of the time, the culprit behind enamel damage is strong acid. An acid essentially strips away the mineral content of tooth enamel, weakening it. Other culprits behind damaged tooth enamel include bad habits like chewing on inedible objects or bruxism (the act of clenching and grinding teeth). As we age, enamel loss will increase our risk for tooth decay and cracked/chipped teeth.
Discoloration
There are two types of tooth discoloration. One type, intrinsic, involves the discoloration of the inside of teeth while extrinsic tooth staining occurs when the outer surfaces of teeth are repeatedly exposed to dark foods and beverages or tobacco. Intrinsic stains can occur when the inside of teeth are diseased. Restorations and endodontic therapy are normally required to address deeply diseased and damaged teeth whereas extrinsic stains are mostly a cosmetic concern and can be treated with professional whitening treatments from our dentist.
Worn Down Surfaces

Worn dentition commonly affects people in their advanced years – especially when tooth enamel is damaged. If teeth are worn down, it is most likely due to occlusal problems and bad habits like bruxism or chewing on hard items like pen caps and ice cubes. Tooth wear can also occur due to untreated tooth decay. Worn dentition is treatable with restorations that rebuild teeth to their rightful size.
Receiving routine oral healthcare is important – no matter one’s age. Our team is here to help you enjoy optimal oral health with preventive and restorative treatment. Call us today to reserve a checkup with our dental team!