Teeth Should Be Kept Healthy As People Age
The Augusta Chronicle
12-01-06

Though wrinkles might be your first target in the fight against aging, the smile can't be overlooked. There are telltale signs of aging teeth, and these prevention tips and repair solutions can help keep your smile youthful for years to come.

CHEW CAREFULLY: Be prepared for the unexpected and be mindful of what you are chewing, especially when eating food you haven't prepared yourself. Chewing ice - or anything hard - is especially dangerous because it can create microcracks in your teeth that can eventually fracture. Luckily, advances in cosmetic dentistry have made chipped teeth an easy problem to fix. Bonded porcelain can be used to replace only the broken portion of a tooth, resulting in a repaired tooth that is virtually the same in form, function and appearance.

USE YOUR TEETH FOR WHAT THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR: We have pliers, bottle openers, scissors and fingernail clippers, so don't try to open bottles, bite your nails or tear off plastic wrappers with your teeth. Nor should you use your teeth to crack nuts, hold pins, or anything other than eating.

AVOID TOOTH WEAR FROM GRINDING: Most people are totally unaware that they grind their teeth, either during the day or at night. Beyond causing headaches and neck aches, grinding can have an aging effect on the smile by wearing down the biting edges of the teeth, which not only alters their appearance but also their ability to function as well. Talk with your dentist about a night guard that you can wear to prevent further damage.

REPLACE OLD FILLINGS: Replace any faulty fillings before they cause you trouble. Ill-fitting fillings left in the mouth too long can allow bacteria to get underneath and cause decay, and if you have microcracks, the filling does not offer the protection that an intact tooth would, making it more susceptible to fracture. You'll know something is wrong if cold drinks or foods start to bother you - even if just for a few seconds. Another indication is sensitivity to sweets. This means you have a gap between the filling and the tooth, and you should have it checked.

AVOID ABRASIVE HABITS: Using a hard toothbrush in a back-and- forth motion can wear down the protective enamel, especially at the neck of the teeth where the enamel is thinnest. If you brush away the enamel and begin brushing the softer dentin, you can damage not only the look of your teeth but you might also eventually need desensitization treatments or even a root canal to correct damage to the pulp of the tooth. Always use a soft toothbrush and position it at an angle pointing toward the gum line. For cases of severe erosion, veneers or bonding can restore the teeth.

PREVENT DENTAL EROSION: Never suck on lemons - or anything acidic - unless you want to ruin the look of your front teeth. Even carbonated beverages contain acid that can cause severe erosion of your enamel. No matter what you are eating or drinking, drink a glass of water afterward to help wash away any sugars, acids or residue.