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 :
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.
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
Oral hygiene and sensible diet
Minimizing cumulative damage to teeth
Keeping gums healthy
Getting problems dealt with early and regularly monitoring dental restorations
Minimizing cumulative damage to teeth
Keeping gums healthy
Getting problems dealt with early and regularly monitoring dental restorations