When it comes to your teeth and gums, the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be truer. Preventing tooth decay and gum disease starts as early as infancy, but knowing other common dental problems as you age, along with family dentistry in Kingsport, TN, is just as important.
Here’s how you can protect your oral health into your senior years:
Replace Missing Teeth
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, but you can also lose a tooth due to poor nutrition and oral hygiene. No one wants to think about losing a tooth, but car accidents, falls, and sports injuries do happen too!
Replacing missing teeth is critical to your oral health. When a tooth is lost, the bone in that area begins to reabsorb, causing other teeth to shift. As a result, you may have difficulty speaking and chewing along with an increased risk of oral health problems.
Ask your family dentist about options for replacing the tooth so that you can look your best while protecting your oral health.
Address Teeth Grinding
Long-term teeth grinding or clenching can wear down the supportive tissues of your teeth and even lead to tooth loss. If you wake up in the morning with headaches or a sore jaw or your dentist notices wear on your teeth, invest in a night guard to protect them.
Be Proactive about Teeth Discoloration
Teeth can darken from thinning enamel and years of consuming staining foods and beverages. When thinning enamel lets yellowed dentin show through, teeth whitening may not solve the problem. Take steps to prevent deep discoloration by rinsing your mouth after consuming coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries and avoid smoking. Tobacco is one of the most staining substances!
Dr. Brian Hagen specializes in family dentistry in Kingsport, TN. Call us to schedule a consultation, and we’ll be happy to help you address any of your dental concerns!