As we age, so do our mouths. Even if you take excellent care of your teeth, your teeth and gums will undergo certain changes as you get older. Also, as you get older, you are more likely to take medications or have a disease that can affect your oral health. Here are some of the changes you might notice as you age.
You may notice that your teeth look darker as you age. That's because aging dentin — the tooth's middle layer — holds stains easier.
Many older people have more plaque build up on their teeth, but this is not because they are older. It's related to other physical changes that can make it more difficult to brush and floss every day. For example, people with arthritis or neurological difficulties may not be able to clean their teeth as well, or may forget to do it.
Dry mouth is very common in older people, and is usually a side effect of medication: Hundreds of medications can cause dry mouth.
Saliva normally washes away food particles and bacteria and helps keep your mouth clean; if you have dry mouth, the food particles and bacteria will stay around longer and are more likely to cause decay. Over-the-counter fluoride rinses can help protect your teeth from decay. You can moisten your mouth using artificial saliva, or by drinking lots of water or sucking on unsweetened lemon drops.
