Caring for your teeth over time

By Geraldine Fitgerald

The inevitable march of time has a major impact on teeth, even if you’ve taken good care of them over the years. Many of us have not - a combination of ignorance and an aversion to dentists, who in all fairness, were a bit brutal back in the day.

Enamel wears down, making teeth more vulnerable to damage. Fillings and even root canal treatments (preserving the shell of the tooth whilst extracting damaged tooth nerve) might feature in your diary as the decades slide by.

The expression indicative of getting older - ‘long in the tooth’ - is a reference to the erosion of gum tissue as we age, making teeth look longer.

A little recession is not unusual, but when plaque becomes trapped just under the gumline where your brush can’t get to it, it will cause gingivitis, swelling and inflammation of the gum.

A cursory and half-hearted run of the toothbrush and lack of flossing practically guarantees gingivitis, not to mention awful halitosis. Mask wearing over the last two years means you might have gotten away with the dragon breath, but take a look at your gums in the mirror – are they red around the base of the tooth?

If left unchecked, gingivitis will develop into the far more serious and irreversible periodontal gum disease, which is deeply destructive.

Periodontal gum disease affects the tissues around the teeth. It’s caused by the microorganisms growing unchecked on and around tooth surfaces, and in some cases an overly aggressive immune response makes it even worse.

The tiny ligament fibres that attach the gums to the teeth start to break away and the bone in which the tooth root is seated begins to erode leading to loosening, and ultimately the loss of teeth.

Everything goes downhill as we age, so preventative maintenance is vital. Floss like a maniac, use interdental brushes to get at hidden plaque; use a daily mouthwash and build a seriously good relationship with a dental hygienist.

If your gums bleed after brushing or are sore when you bite into food, stop procrastinating and book an appointment. Like any health issue, periodontal disease is far cheaper to prevent than it is to cure.

A good hygienist scales away tartar (hardened plaque) and will record a score for each tooth and surrounding gum, with gum attachment loss measured in millimetres.

A probe is used to determine the level of loss; 1-2mm being mild, 3mm moderate and 5mm or more indicating a severe attachment loss, which will require specialised treatment by a periodontist.

Be warned – periodontal gum disease is often painless, but the treatment is both uncomfortable and expensive. If you don’t take a proactive stand now, loose teeth will become increasing unstable and fall out.