There is no age limit for healthy teeth. The truth is that, as people age, the circumstances that cause tooth loss are likely to increase and accumulate. Bad habits form over time, especially if you’re unaware that your behavior is counterproductive. Knowing what is damaging to your teeth is half the battle.
1. Eating Late At Night
Many articles have been written about how late night snacking can ruin a diet. One of the lesser-known side effects is that late night eating can damage your teeth. When you sleep, saliva production, like many other bodily functions, is reduced severely. Bacteria thrive in this nighttime environment.
2. Sensitive Gums
When you’re brushing or flossing, sometimes you encounter a region of your gums that is sensitive or even bleeds. This is the first sign of gum disease. For older adults this is the number one reason for loss of teeth. The gum line recedes and the base of the tooth is weakened leading to looseness. Not attacking gum disease early will lead to the eventual loss of teeth.
3. An Oral Fixation
Chewing on a pencil or your finger compulsively can lead to damage to your teeth. Even the manipulation of a cigar or a cigarette with your teeth can wear down the enamel that protects teeth. This can lead to problems down the line.
4. Poor Nutrition
It’s not just the foods that cause tooth decay that are the problem. Yes, certain foods are more damaging to the teeth than others. The truth is that, like other aspects of your health, poor nutrition affects your dental health. Your gums and teeth need certain nutrients to remain strong and provide protection.
5. Subpar Sleep
Grinding of teeth at night is one of the surest ways to lose your teeth at some point in your life. Preventative action can easily remediate this problem. The use of a mouth guard not only protects teeth as you sleep, but can also change this behavior over time.
The good news is that the technology for replacing teeth has come along way in recent years. Dental implants, titanium posts placed in the jawbone, allow for the complete replacement of missing teeth. These teeth look and act like your original teeth in terms of eating, cleaning, and smiling. In Long Island, Shine Dental can advise you on the dental options that are right for you.
