01 Apr How Do Our Teeth Change As We Age?
As we get older, everything changes. Our bodies, brains, and even our teeth go through different transitions. Receding gums, bone loss, and thinning enamel can all cause dental problems. So can hormonal shifts, chronic diseases, and many common medications. And because dental problems become more likely as we age, older adults need to pay even more attention to their oral health than young adults do.
Seven Dental Problems That Become More Common with Age
1: Gum Disease
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is a chronic infection that gets progressively worse without treatment. Because gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss, it’s important not to ignore the warning signs. If your gums look red and swollen and feel tender or bleed easily, make a dentist appointment.
2: Receding Gums
One of the side effects of gum disease is receding gum tissue. As the gums pull away from the teeth, they expose the root of the tooth, which doesn’t have any enamel to protect it. This can cause sensitivity, tooth decay, root canal infections, and “loose” or shifting teeth.
3: Shifting Teeth
Loss of support due to receding gums or lack of bone density can make your teeth change positions. This can cause a misaligned bite, gaps between your teeth, pain when chewing, and even changes in your speech. But no matter how old you are, treatments like Invisalign can help you avoid these problems.
4: Thinning Enamel
Our enamel starts to thin as we age due to a lifetime of use. Daily wear and tear adds up after a while. Thinning enamel often makes teeth look yellow, because the dentin inside the tooth is showing through. But it can also cause tooth sensitivity and increases your risk of cavities.
5: Tooth Decay
The first signs of tooth decay are sensitivity and dark spots on the teeth. The plaque and tartar that build up on your teeth are actually colonies of bacteria. Those bacteria release harmful acids that slowly eat away at your enamel. At some point, the acid will eat all the way through the enamel, forming a cavity.
6: Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures can be a sign of thinning enamel, receding gums, or tooth decay. If your sensitivity does not get better after using “sensitive teeth” products for several weeks, talk to your dentist.
7: Dry Mouth
Typically caused by mild dehydration, dry mouth can also be a side effect of many medications. Chronic dry mouth allows plaque to multiply, leading to tooth decay and gum infections. Drink extra water to rinse away bacteria and keep your mouth hydrated.
What Causes These Changes?
- Medications: Many common medications cause dry mouth as a side effect. Because this encourages plaque buildup, you may need to change medications or use a dry mouth spray to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Hormones: Hormonal shifts can change the way blood flows to the gums, cause dry mouth, affect bone density, increase the risk of gingivitis, and cause inflammation.
- Diseases: Chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, and many other diseases can increase inflammation or suppress immune responses, leading to further oral health issues.
- Nutrition: Good oral health is closely linked to good nutrition. Failing to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need can cause oral health problems like weak enamel and receding gums.
- Mental Health: Did you know that many adults over the age of 70 may have some form of poor mental health? Conditions like anxiety and depression have a direct effect on oral health, because taking care of your oral health can feel impossible when it is difficult to even get out of bed.
- Lifelong habits: Getting older means we’ve had more time with our bad habits. A history of smoking, drinking alcohol, or poor brushing habits can cause problems with your oral health as you age.
Dental Care You Can Rely On
If you are looking for dependable oral care, come to Hicks Dental Group. Not only do we have the experience and knowledge to help you conquer any problems that arise, we also understand how good oral health can improve your quality of life.
Your dental health is important no matter how old you are! Contact us today to make an appointment for a cleaning and exam.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/31/26). Photo by LOGAN WEAVER | @LGNWVR on Unsplash.