The daily wear and tear of our teeth often goes unnoticed. We brush, swig some mouthwash, and maybe floss if we have something stuck in our teeth. But we forget that our teeth are aging, too. We chew, grind, and bite, and over time, those spectacular pearly whites begin to fade in color, lose their shape, and even fall out if we’re not careful.  

How to protect and maintain my teeth

Do teeth deteriorate with age? 

Yes, they do! In addition to the daily grinding and wearing of the edges of teeth, what we consume also weakens our teeth. Acidic foods and carbonated beverages weaken the enamel (protective outer coating) which can lead to breaks or cracks in teeth later. And we’ve all experienced a toothache, so we know how painful it is when a tooth gets infected or inflamed. That’s because teeth contain nerves to notify us when something goes wrong. With age, we lose that tooth nerve sensitivity, making it harder to know when a tooth is infected. Therefore, the rate of tooth decay becomes more prevalent with age. Cavities develop along the top of the teeth and naturally, gum tissue recedes with age. Eventually, this can to the loss of teeth.  

How do you care for aging teeth?  

Brush and floss twice a day 

Look for a trusted brand of fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride helps protect the enamel from bacteria and plaque build-up. Since cavities are the main reason teeth decline, it is best to look for a cavity toothpaste such as Colgate Cavity Protection, Crest Cavity Protection, and Aim Cavity Protection. The mouthwash you use is just as important as the toothpaste since mouthwash reduces bacteria in the mouth. My favorite is Act Anticavity Fluoride Mouthwash. I love the freshness and the fact that is has zero alcohol. Other great brands to try are Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash and Listerine Antiseptic Mouthwash. 

See a dentist twice a year 

Not only do dentists deep clean and apply fluoride rinses that help teeth from deteriorating progression, but they also monitor the health of teeth. Monitoring allows the dentist to catch early signs of problems. Catching signs of plaque build-up, cavities, gum recession, and other infections early may help combat further issues. 

Use an electronic toothbrush  

With age comes aches and pains. Particularly in the hands. Unfortunately, that makes brushing a daunting task. Electronic toothbrushes remove more plaque because you’re getting an average 700 more strokes per minute than a manual toothbrush. According to studies by Cochrane, 21% of plaque and 11% of gingivitis was reduced over a 3-month period when using an electronic toothbrush. I personally use an Oral-B Smart 1500 electronic toothbrush. I’ve had it for a few years now and had no issues. My mother uses a Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Smart 9300 and while it is on the expensive side, the benefits outweigh the cons.  

Clean your mouth gear 

Retainers, mouth guards, dentures, or partials should all be cleaned on a regular basis. This prevents bacteria from growing and causing bad breath, cavities, and gingivitis. Efferdent is highly effective for cleaning all mouth gear. Soak retainers and mouth guards for 10 minutes 2-3 times a week and soak dentures and partials overnight. Voila – easy peezy! 

Moisten the mouth 

Lack of saliva can cause bad breath, irritation, inflammation, and infection of gums. Persistent dry mouth can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Aim to drink more water, stop the use of tobacco, and limit the consumption of caffeinated drinks as they can dry the mouth out. Chewing sugarless gum can also help add moisture to the mouth. If you’re on medications or just had oral surgery, use Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse. It relieves dry mouth and protects teeth. Keep some on hand for days when Chinese food is the dinner option! 

Stop tobacco use 

The risks of tobacco use are too numerable to count, however people still partake of this disgusting habit. Obviously oral cancer is much higher in someone that uses tobacco. Oral cancer inside of the cheek, tongue, exterior of the lips, and the lower lip is not only awful for the person doing it, but it hurts the ones closest to them, too. Just don’t smoke, chew, dip, vape… or any other tobacco stuff that is out there!  

Anything good for the body is good for the mouth. Maintaining good oral hygiene and a healthy diet will do wonders for the mouth, mind, and body. Pay close attention to your mouth health and your aging self will thank you.