Between the ages of 40 and 50, your mouth goes through some pretty big transformations. As the rest of your body prepares for the second half of your life, your mouth starts to react to everything you have put it through over the last few decades. If you’re hitting the “midlife crisis” stage in your life, it’s time to prepare for what may be to come with your oral health. Here are some common dental concerns for middle aged men and women.
Your Teeth Start To Fall Out
According to the ADA, the average person between the ages of 20 and 64 has three missing teeth in his or her mouth. Proper dental hygiene over the course of a lifetime will certainly help you avoid this, but the fact is that you may lose a tooth or two in what we’ll call the “prime” years of your adult life. In this case, you may need to get a bridge or implant to fill in the gap the tooth leaves behind, not only to help your smile but also to preserve your speaking abilities and the overall shape of your mouth.
Your Teeth Become More Sensitive
Your teeth will likely get more sensitive as you get older. This can be the result of a variety of issues, including:
- Tooth Decay
- Gun Disease
- Worn Fillings
- Enamel Loss
- Dental Fracturing
In most cases, you will need to switch to a toothpaste and toothbrush that are made for sensitive teeth. You may also need to work with your dentist to fix whatever the problem is that is causing the sensitivity in the first place.
You Experience Dry Mouth
As your body ages, you will eventually need to take certain medications and change your diet up to keep yourself as healthy as possible. All of this may lead to dry mouth over time. You will need to talk to your dentist and primary care doctor about the potential sources of your dry mouth to see if they can be treated on their own. If not, you will need to work with your dentist to come up with a plan for getting moisture back into your mouth.
You Need To Get Dentures
No one likes to think about the idea of wearing dentures in the future, but that just may be something you need to do. Dentures have come a long way over the last few decades, to the point that they look incredibly natural now. Embrace the idea of getting a new set of teeth, and wear them with pride. A confident smile may be all you need to look and feel 10 years younger.
