We tend to have many concerns about our bodies as they age. With our risk for chronic disease, gum disease, certain types of cancer, and cognitive decline increasing with age, it’s no wonder that we’d be worried about our smiles as we go through life.
So what’s the truth about what happens to our teeth as we age—do they get weaker and more brittle, or can we expect them to stay the same? The truth is something of a mix of the two, so read on to find out what you can expect for your pearly whites in the years ahead.
Your Teeth Can and Should Remain Strong
Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime. Although teeth can be damaged and weakened by many factors including diet, physical health, teeth grinding, tooth decay, and gum disease, your teeth themselves should not get weaker or brittle as you age unless you have an underlying health problem.
Some research suggests that dentin—the softer part of your tooth just under the enamel—grows weaker with age in some people. The protective layer over your dentin, the enamel, should remain strong throughout your life provided that you’re healthy and taking the proper care of your teeth.
Our Habits Can Damage Our Teeth
Our teeth can grow weaker and more brittle as we age if we engage in harmful habits that can damage them. These habits include:
Having a poor diet. Not getting the right kinds of nutrients—including calcium and
vitamin D—can weaken your smile, especially in postmenopausal women.
Grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding can severely weaken teeth, irritate the gum tissue,
and even lead to tooth loss.
Not visiting the dentist. Plaque and tartar can accumulate to make your smile weaker as you age, especially if you’ve been skipping the dentist for years.
Using teeth as tools. Your teeth are meant to chew food, not to open packages, crack
nuts, or chew on ice. All these practices can fracture and weaken teeth.
You have the resources to help your teeth remain strong and healthy for life, so take advantage of them!
Physical Health Is Connected to Dental Health
A growing body of research is pointing to the link between bodily health and oral health. For instance, tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to heart disease. Mothers who have gum disease are more likely to give birth to children who are underweight. The oral cavity is proving to be a compass for how healthy the body is, proving to people everywhere that a healthy mouth may just help you have a healthy body.
If you have a physical disease that includes a compromised immune system, this can increase your risk for oral health problems such as gum disease. If you have a mineral deficiency in which your body cannot properly absorb nutrients, this is likely impacting your oral health. You can talk with your dentist or doctor about how your physical health could be impacting your smile.
Taking care of our teeth is so important. Your teeth have the potential to be healthy and strong for your entire life, but you have to take good care of them. Make an appointment with your dentist today to discover just how beautiful and healthy your smile can be—for life!
