Age Changes In The Mouth
We are all getting older from the moment we were conceived. Many processes are at work on our teeth and other oral tissues which cause changes in the tissues. In almost all cases, each individual change is very small but the effects are cumulative.
Age changes in the teeth
The most commonly discerned changes in our teeth are :
These changes show up increased incidence of tooth sensitivity and discoloration of the teeth and also changes in the shape of the teeth due to chipping, wearing down etc.
Cumulative changes are particularly evident in teeth because enamel especially is not a vital tissue. Vital tissue like bone and skin have a blood supply and cells within it that will repair and regenerate the tissue when injury occurs. This does not happen in enamel because there are no living "enamel cells" on adult teeth.
These changes in part are the reason restorations done later in life tend to be less durable than those done earlier. The tooth substance that the restoration needs to bond to and hold on to has itself changed. In addition if a filling is being replaced the cavity usually has become larger and the remaining structure has become thinner.
Age changes to the gums
are usually related to
These changes lead to some amount of gum recession even when the gums are completely healthy. However it must be emphasized that in the vast majority of cases this will only account for a small fraction of the gum recession a person experiences. Some studies suggest the average is about 2mm of recession over a person's lifetime.
Age changes to the other oral structures
Examples are :
Changes to the overall mouth, teeth and jaw relationships, compensatory changes and their implications
Compensatory Eruption of Teeth
As mentioned above our teeth wear out as they get older. Our jaw and gum does react to compensate for this by pushing the teeth further out so each tooth remains in contact with the opposing tooth. This has implications when a tooth is extracted and not replaced. The opposing tooth no longer has contact and may supra erupt as it seeks a biting contact
Loss of lower face height
This shows up in the form of lip corners folding and cheek tissues becoming more slack. Front teeth can also become more protrusive (stick out more) as the back teeth wear out and the jaws come closer together
All these changes are made even more obvious by back teeth being lost and not replaced leading to a situation called "bite collapse"
Age changes in the teeth
The most commonly discerned changes in our teeth are :
- thinning of the enamel due to attrition, abrasion and erosion
- accumulation of cracks and fractures in the teeth
- accumulated damage from caries, restoration
- Yellowing of the teeth
These changes show up increased incidence of tooth sensitivity and discoloration of the teeth and also changes in the shape of the teeth due to chipping, wearing down etc.
Cumulative changes are particularly evident in teeth because enamel especially is not a vital tissue. Vital tissue like bone and skin have a blood supply and cells within it that will repair and regenerate the tissue when injury occurs. This does not happen in enamel because there are no living "enamel cells" on adult teeth.
These changes in part are the reason restorations done later in life tend to be less durable than those done earlier. The tooth substance that the restoration needs to bond to and hold on to has itself changed. In addition if a filling is being replaced the cavity usually has become larger and the remaining structure has become thinner.
Age changes to the gums
are usually related to
- Loss of bone mass
- reduction in collagen density
These changes lead to some amount of gum recession even when the gums are completely healthy. However it must be emphasized that in the vast majority of cases this will only account for a small fraction of the gum recession a person experiences. Some studies suggest the average is about 2mm of recession over a person's lifetime.
Age changes to the other oral structures
Examples are :
- reduction in elasticity of the skin and connective tissue around the mouth
- wearing out of the joint cartilage
- changes to muscles around the mouth
- changes in the production of saliva
- changes to the nerves and tastebuds - reduces taste perception and may lead to use of higher levels of sugar or vinegar (for example) to achieve acceptable taste levels of food and beverages.
Changes to the overall mouth, teeth and jaw relationships, compensatory changes and their implications
Compensatory Eruption of Teeth
As mentioned above our teeth wear out as they get older. Our jaw and gum does react to compensate for this by pushing the teeth further out so each tooth remains in contact with the opposing tooth. This has implications when a tooth is extracted and not replaced. The opposing tooth no longer has contact and may supra erupt as it seeks a biting contact
Loss of lower face height
This shows up in the form of lip corners folding and cheek tissues becoming more slack. Front teeth can also become more protrusive (stick out more) as the back teeth wear out and the jaws come closer together
All these changes are made even more obvious by back teeth being lost and not replaced leading to a situation called "bite collapse"
Common Myths
Old age leads to loss of teeth
The preceding passages would seem to suggest that losing teeth is inevitable. This is not true. Many studies have shown that despite the changes that occur old age does not, by itself, lead to loss of teeth. Increasingly we see people keeping their natural teeth for their entire lifetime.
The main hindrance to achieving this is almost always dental neglect, accidental damage to the teeth or untreated/undetected gum disease at some point in the person's life.
The preceding passages would seem to suggest that losing teeth is inevitable. This is not true. Many studies have shown that despite the changes that occur old age does not, by itself, lead to loss of teeth. Increasingly we see people keeping their natural teeth for their entire lifetime.
The main hindrance to achieving this is almost always dental neglect, accidental damage to the teeth or untreated/undetected gum disease at some point in the person's life.
Keeping Our Teeth for Life
While some changes are inevitable there is no reason why the vast majority of people should not be able to keep a healthy, functional mouth, teeth and gums for life. The basic steps to achieve this goal are :
Oral hygiene and sensible diet
Minimize cumulative damage to teeth
Keep gums healthy
Get problems dealt with early and regularly monitoring dental restorations
Oral hygiene and sensible diet
Minimize cumulative damage to teeth
Keep gums healthy
Get problems dealt with early and regularly monitoring dental restorations