As you age, one of the most essential things you’ll need to do is to take good care of your teeth. After all, you’ll need them to fulfill the most basic of your everyday tasks, and keeping your dazzling smile is definitely something you should prioritize. Some believe that it’s inevitable to lose your teeth as you age, and it’s a lost cause not worth fighting for. We’re here to tell you that that’s not the case. As long as you take good care of your oral health, your teeth will last you a lifetime.
What Happens To Your Teeth as You Age?
As you age, dental changes will occur. Nerves located in your teeth will shrink, and you are subsequently less aware of dental problems that arise, or cavities. If you don’t frequently visit the dentist’s office, severe dental diseases may go overlooked until later stages, where treatment becomes more complicated.
As you age, the support that holds the system of bones in your mouth in place becomes weaker. These include bones, muscles, tissues and ligaments. Like most other bones in the body, your jawbones lose bone density and minerals, growing weaker over time. This bone weakness leads to tooth shifting and possibly loss.
With age, your front teeth will tend towards the front of your mouth. These shifts lead to crowding, resulting in aesthetic problems. Outside of aesthetic issues, crowding can also pose other difficulties, such as difficulty flossing and thorough cleaning of your teeth. Such conditions will lead to plaque buildup.
What Should You Do To Straighten Your Teeth?
You have two methods you can employ to straighten your teeth. One is fixed braces, and the other is clear aligners. Fixed braces involve sticking a temporary bracket to the teeth, and securing it with a flexible wire. This shifts your teeth forward gradually, through slow exertion of pressure. Wires must be adjusted, usually after eight-week intervals.
Alternatively, clear aligners can be worn throughout the day to shift your teeth forward at a gradual pace. Your teeth will move at about a quarter of a millimeter at a time, within the span of two to five weeks. These plastic arrays are designed with reference to a dental scan of your teeth.
Keep A Lookout For These Signs Of Poor Oral Health
There are many ways in which poor oral health makes itself evident. Ranging from swelling to bleeding of gums, toothaches, and abnormal tongue alterations or growths, these are the most common indicators of bad oral health.
Unusual tooth pain is an obvious indicator, but many disregard it. Some think that they can tide through the pain. However, there is a high probability that the pain will persist even when you clean your teeth more frequently. Go for a dental check-up to avoid potential tooth decay. Having bleeding or swollen gums is also a red flag, indicating poor oral hygiene. Visit a professional dentist to find out if these are early signs of gum disease. Getting treated early will prevent more complications down the round. Engaging in continuous care will help you maintain a dazzling smile well into your golden years.
