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What happens to teeth as you age? And how can you extend the life of your smile?

A healthy smile helps us live long, well and happy lives. But just like our bodies, our teeth succumb to age-related changes.

So what happens to teeth as you age? And what can you do to ensure your smile lasts the distance?

First, what are teeth made of?

The tooth crown is covered by a hard enamel coat that surrounds softer, brown dentine, which protects a centrally located pulp.

Enamel is a complex weave of brittle, honeycomb-clustered strands that interact with light to make teeth appear opalescent (a pearly, milky iridescence).

Dentine under enamel forms most of the tooth crown and root, and is made of collagen, mineral, water, and proteins. Collagen strands are woven to stretch and spring back, to prevent teeth from cracking and breaking when we grind and chew.

The pulp has blood vessels and nerves that communicate with the rest of your body.

Enmeshed in the dentine mineral and collagen are small, interconnected tubules formed by specialized cells called odontoblasts that settle around the pulp, once our teeth completely form.

Each tooth contains a finite number of odontoblasts, unlike the constantly replenished special bone cells that renew.

How do our teeth change as we age?

Unable to renew, our teeth become brittle, and prone to fracture as dentine loses its spring.

This is more common in teeth with existing crack lines, large fillings, or root canal treatments.

With time, the outer surface of enamel thins to reveal the relatively opaque dentine that darkens as we age.

The dentine darkens because the collagen weave stiffens and shrinks, and the fluid in the tubules fills with mineral.

The odontoblasts continue to form dentine inside the tooth to reduce the translucent pulp space. The increase in dentine makes our teeth appear opaque and insulates from hot and cold sensations. This is why X-rays are useful to detect cavities we may not feel.

Food and drink particles fill micro-gaps and age-related fine crack lines that run up and down enamel to discolor and stain. These stains are easily managed by tooth whitening.

How else can you extend the life of your teeth and brighten your smile? Here are seven tips to avoid dental decline:
1. Avoid unnecessary forces

Avoid using your teeth to hold things such as working tools or to open packaging.

Take measures to avoid forces such as grinding or clenching by wearing a night guard.

If you have large fillings or root canal-treated teeth, speak to your dentist about specific filling materials or crowns that can protect your teeth from cracking or breaking.

2. Share the load

If you are missing molars or premolars, distribute chewing forces evenly to prevent overloading your remaining teeth.

Replace missing teeth with bridges, implants, or well-fitted dentures to support your bite. Get your dentures checked regularly to ensure they fit and support adequately, and replace them at least every ten years.

3. Preserve your enamel

Reduce further enamel and dentine loss by selecting soft-bristled tooth brushes and non-abrasive toothpastes.

Brush gently, and avoid brushing straight after drinking acidic drinks or eating acidic foods, because this is when the enamel is most vulnerable.

Rinse after brushing with fluoridated mouth rinses. Fluoride remineralizes and strengthens enamel to withstand decay.

4. Restore old fillings

Large, old fillings have poor margins with gaps that allow decay to set in, or cracks that further deteriorate.

Ask your dentist to replace failing fillings with stronger, newer materials to restore tooth shape and function.

5. Be aware of changes in your mouth

Check for unusual lumps, red or white patches, sores or ulcers that don’t heal. If any changes last more than two weeks, see your dentist or doctor for advice.

Regularly check your gums for receding gum lines, and pockets or gaps that trap food. These spaces allow bacteria to fester and produce acids that harm teeth, roots, and bones. Ask your dentist to check for signs of gum disease, such as swelling and bleeding.

6. Look after your gums

Floss regularly to remove trapped food and plaque.

After brushing, massage gums gently with the toothbrush head in a circular motion to increase blood flow and reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Tartar is a calcified substance that forms and adheres to enamel, causing gum disease and tooth loss.

Use antimicrobial mouth rinses to kill harmful bacteria and prevent gum disease.

7. Visit your dentist

Visit your dentist at least every six months for professional cleaning and a check-up. Regular check-ups and professional cleans help identify potential problems early, prevent decay, and reduce plaque and tartar build-up.

Article published by Arosha Weerakoon Senior Lecturer, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland and General Dentist., The University of Queensland.

Arosha Weerakoon is a clinical senior lecturer in general practice and a dentist of more than 25 years.

Reference: This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article https://theconversation.com/what-happens-to-teeth-as-you-age-and-how-can-you-extend-the-life-of-your-smile-215786

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