How aging impacts your teeth
- Posted on: Aug 15 2021
Growing old is a privilege that not everyone gets to enjoy. But even with aging, there are the occasional complaints regarding the changes that occur to the body. Women might become concerned about the development of fine lines and wrinkles on their face, while men might fret over thinning hair. However, did you know that aging can also impact your smile? Dr. Casey Patterson and his team at his Simi Valley, CA area practice are committed to ensuring patients have the information they need to enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile over an entire lifetime!
How does aging impact the smile?
There are many ways in which aging impacts the teeth and gums. Below are two of the more common concerns that may develop and ways to address them:
- Thinning enamel. While the teeth are made to last a lifetime, they are still susceptible to thinning and wear. Chewing, biting, grinding, and clenching can all impact the natural tooth enamel and make it thinner, often resulting in increased sensitivity. Working with a dentist to monitor tooth enamel thickness allows patients to make proactive choices to protect their smiles.
- Dry mouth. Along with thinning tooth enamel, many men and women experience dry mouth due to a decrease in saliva production. Saliva glands will reduce production with time, which is normal but problematic. Dry mouth is also a side effect to many medications, and can cause bacteria to build up faster in the mouth. Dry mouth medications and products are available to help combat this and keep saliva flow strong with age.
Learn more about caring for your aging smile
Dr. Casey Patterson and his team in Simi Valley, CA are dedicated to providing patients with a wide selection of treatments and services to achieve and maintain oral health and wellness. For patients who are aging, it is important to monitor changes in the mouth that might contribute to the development of issues such as periodontal disease and tooth decay. If you are in need of an evaluation and live in the community, contact our team today by calling (805) 584-1194. Our office is located at 2720 Cochran Street, Suite #2B and accepts new patients.
Posted in: Dental Services
