Your teeth — and all the improvements you made to them, including straightening and veneers — change over the decades. They all need extra maintenance. Four common dental issues that come up frequently for seniors are stained teeth, dry mouth, gum disease, and oral cancer.
Stained, Dingy Teeth
Just as your skin thins with age, so does the hard, thick enamel that protects your teeth. When enamel thins, it becomes more transparent, revealing the naturally yellowish inner tooth (dentin). As you get older, teeth are also less resistant to the staining properties of foods, beverages, and tobacco. Our professional teeth whitening services with Philips Zoom! bleach your teeth from the inside out, whitening up to eight shades in just under an hour.
Insufficient Saliva (Dry Mouth)
As you age, your salivary glands may not produce enough saliva, leading to xerostomia (dry mouth). Without saliva’s protective barrier, severe tooth decay can occur more easily. To keep those salivary glands active, try sugar-free candy or a mouth rinse designed to help dry mouth.
Irritated or Infected Gums
About 70% of Americans older than 65 have gum disease. Risk factors include teeth grinding, certain medications, tobacco use, poor nutrition, obesity, and genetics. To keep your gums healthy, your hygiene efforts may need to stretch beyond brushing and flossing.
Oral Cancer
As you age, you’re more susceptible to all kinds of cancers, including oral cancer. Pay attention to any sores in your mouth that don’t heal. We also examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer during each biannual exam. Contact our office at Dental Town DC today if you have any of these issues.