Grow old with healthy teeth

Thursday November 16, 2006 in: Dental Care Tag(s):

Sure, everybody ages. Crow's feet and wrinkles are usually the telltale signs, and many people, from actors to models to everyday people, deal with them through facelifts and Botox injections.

But what about your teeth? They age too, you know. And that age will eventually show in your smile, unless you're doing any of these following tips from ScrippsNews to keep your teeth healthy as you age:

Chew carefully: Be prepared for the unexpected and be mindful of what you are chewing, especially when eating food you haven't prepared yourself. Chewing ice _ or anything hard _ is especially dangerous, as it can create microcracks in your teeth that can eventually fracture. Luckily, advances in cosmetic dentistry have made chipped teeth an easy problem to fix. Bonded porcelain can be used to replace only the broken portion of a tooth, resulting in a repaired tooth that is virtually the same in form, function and appearance.

Use your teeth for what they were designed for: We now have pliers, bottle openers, scissors and fingernail clippers, so don't try to open bottles, bite your nails or tear off plastic wrappers with your teeth. Nor should you use your teeth to crack nuts, hold pins, or anything other than eating.

Avoid tooth wear due to grinding: Most people are totally unaware that they grind their teeth, either during the day or at night. Beyond causing headaches and neck aches, grinding can have an aging effect on the smile by wearing down the biting edges of the teeth, which not only alters their appearance, but their ability to function as well. Talk to your dentist about a night guard you can wear to prevent further damage.