2023-12-18 16:56:25
What happens to teeth as we age? And what can we do to make sure our smile lasts long? It is an important question that must be answered.
What are teeth made of?
The crown of the tooth is covered with a layer of hard enamel that surrounds the soft brown dentin that protects the pulp in the center.
Enamel is a complex tissue of fragile strands gathered in a honeycomb shape that reacts with light to make teeth appear iridescent (milky pearly iridescence).
The dentin under the enamel makes up most of the tooth’s crown and root, and is composed of collagen, minerals, water and proteins. While collagen strands are woven to stretch and spring back, to prevent teeth from cracking and breaking when we grind and chew.
The pulp contains blood vessels and nerves that communicate with the rest of the body.
In the mineral dentin and collagen there are small interconnected tubes formed by specialized cells called odontoblasts that settle around the pulp once our teeth are fully formed. While each tooth contains a limited number of dental cells, unlike special bone cells that are constantly renewed.
How do our teeth change as we get older?
Because of their inability to regenerate, our teeth become brittle and susceptible to breakage when the dentin loses its elasticity. This is more common in teeth with crack lines, large fillings, or root canal treatments. Over time, the outer surface of the enamel thins to reveal relatively opaque dentin, which darkens as we age. The dentin darkens because the collagen matrix hardens and shrinks, and the fluid in the tubes fills with minerals. While the odontogenic cells continue to form dentin inside the tooth to reduce the transparent area of the pulp. But the excess dentin makes our teeth appear opaque and insulates hot and cold sensations. That’s why X-rays are useful for detecting cavities that we may not feel. Food and drink particles fill the tiny gaps and age-related fine lines of cracks that extend up and down the enamel, discoloring and staining it.
Here are seven tips to avoid tooth loss, according to what was reported by the scientific website “Science Alert” from the prestigious website “The Conversation”.
1. Avoid unnecessary forces
– Avoid using your teeth to hold things such as work tools or to open packages.
– Take measures to avoid forces such as grinding or pressure by wearing a night guard.
-If you have large fillings or root canal teeth, talk to your dentist regarding 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 overload on your remaining teeth.
– Replace missing teeth with bridges, implants, or well-fitted dentures to support your bite.
– Check your dentures regularly to ensure they fit and are properly supported, and replace them at least every ten years.
3. Maintain your enamel
-Reduce further loss of enamel and dentin by choosing soft-bristled toothbrushes and non-abrasive toothpastes. Some whitening toothpastes can be abrasive, which can lead to roughness and wear of tooth surfaces. If you are not sure, use toothpastes labeled “sensitive.”
– Reduce your exposure to acids found in food (such as lemon or apple cider vinegar) or (reflux or vomiting) where possible to preserve enamel and prevent erosion.
4. Boost saliva to protect once morest acid attacks
Saliva cleans our teeth, and has antibacterial properties to reduce erosion and cavities (hole formation). Saliva is also important in helping us chew, swallow and speak. But the quality and quantity of our saliva decreases due to age-related changes in the salivary glands as well as some medications prescribed to treat chronic diseases such as depression and high blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor regarding other medication options to improve saliva or manage reflux disease to prevent erosion.
5. Treat gum disease
Treating gum disease (gingivitis) reduces the shrinkage (recession) of the gums, which typically exposes relatively dark tooth roots that are more susceptible to developing holes.
6. Prevent cellular senescence
Cellular senescence is the process that changes the DNA in our cells to reduce our ability to withstand physical, chemical, or biological damage; Cellular aging promotes the formation of new cancers, the spread of existing cancers, and the emergence of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
You can prevent cell damage by controlling lifestyle factors such as smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and chronic infections such as gum disease.
Aging can affect our cognition, manual dexterity and vision, preventing us from cleaning our teeth and gums as effectively as possible.
If this applies to you, talk to your dental care team. They can help clean your teeth, and recommend products and tools that suit your condition and abilities.
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