What Are Some Oral Health Concerns to Be Aware of as You Age?

As an adult, you have probably already seen how aging can affect your smile just as it does your body. Today, our Family Dentistry team would like to share some oral health concerns you should be aware of that can hurt your smile over time. And since October is National Dental Hygiene Month, we would like to take this opportunity to raise oral health awareness and aging.

Dental fillings will begin to break down over time. The rate of deterioration depends on the type of material used to create the filling and your attention to your oral hygiene. You want to keep an eye out for deteriorating fillings because the tooth pulp beneath them is vulnerable to food particles and oral bacteria that invite decay as fillings break down. Brush and floss daily, and maintain six-month dental checkups. These dental visits allow your dentist to remove hardened plaque (tartar) from your teeth and monitor fillings to spot issues early.

Gum disease is another serious issue that can harm your smile as you age. Gum disease is an infection that harms gum tissue irreversibly and can cause jawbone material to deteriorate. You can help prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing every day to get rid of bacterial plaque the gum surfaces, especially along the gumline. If plaque isn’t removed it will harden into tartar that damages supportive jawbone and causes tooth loss. Be sure to see your dentist regularly to remove tartar and inspect the condition of your gums.

Oral cancer can invade the mouth, tongue, and throat as you age. Men over 40 are most at risk, and as is anyone who regularly uses tobacco and consumes alcohol. Fortunately, your dentist checks for signs of oral cancer during your routine checkups. Because of this, dentists are often the ones who first detect and diagnose oral cancer in patients.

To help you protect your smile as you age, our dentist, Dr. Samuel Schmitz, is happy to address your oral health issues. If you are ready to schedule a visit with us in Newburgh, Indiana, please call 812-853-3313 today.