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 medicines 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 buildup on their teeth. This is not because of their age. 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 problems may not be able to clean their teeth as well. Or they may forget to do it.
Dry mouth is very common in older people. It is usually a side effect of medicine. Hundreds of medicines can cause dry mouth.
Saliva normally washes away bits of food and bacteria and helps keep your mouth clean. If you have dry mouth, the bacteria and food will stay around longer. This means they 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. Other options are to drink lots of water or sucking on sugarless lemon drops.
