How your mouth changes as you age

As we age our bodies change. It’s a fact of life. And our teeth are no exception. So what exactly can you expect to see and what can you do to help take care of your teeth? Well, we are glad you asked!

What to expect:

  1. Staining – aging teeth are more susceptible to staining and the wearing down of enamel due to years of juices, coffee, tea, colas, wine and more. The good news is that at Jackson Dental we offer several cosmetic dentistry options to help your smile sparkle including Zoom Whitening and Veneers. A quick visit to our office can help us determine if either of these is right for you.
  2. Dry mouth – as we age the number of medications that we take daily tends to increase as well. Unfortunately many of these medications cause our bodies to produce less saliva, which can result in dry mouth. Because saliva is so important to helping rinse away bacteria in the mouth, it’s important to find a solution to help combat dry mouth. This is where regular water consumption and sugar-free candies or gum can help. Try keeping these things with you at all times so they are available to help you keep the saliva flowing.
  3. Oral Cancer – we’re not telling you about this one to alarm you, but it is something you should be aware of and why regular 6-month checkups at Jackson Dental are so important. During your visit, our dentists will be able to examine your mouth for any sores that could be indicative of a larger problem. Many times these sores are in spots of the mouth that you just can’t see yourself.
  4. Gum disease – while many just find red, bleeding gums to be an annoyance, the truth is they can actually be a sign of gum disease which if left untreated can leave you at risk for serious risk and further infection. If your gums aren’t healthy, then a trip to the dentist is a must.

Let us help you make your dental health a priority as you age. Give us a call today at 573-243-5200 and get started on a regular 6-month preventative dental schedule.