Effects of Aging on Oral and Dental Health
As you age, you may notice that some teeth appear shorter. Teeth may wear down over time and shorten due to rubbing and/or nighttime grinding.
If you have noticed your teeth have worn down over years of use, the good news is that various treatment options are available to restore the appearance of your teeth as well as protect your natural teeth from further damage. The dentist can restore your smile using restoration options such as tooth bonding or porcelain veneers. Dr. Cutts, dentist at The Center for Adult Dentistry in Temecula, CA and La Quinta, CA may also recommend wearing a nightguard to protect your teeth from further wear and rubbing. Contact our office to learn more about available treatments.
If you are experiencing a change in your oral and dental health as you age, please know that you are not alone. Common dental problems in mature adults include:
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Tooth sensitivity
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Gum disease
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Bad breath
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Discoloration
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Cracked teeth
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Crowded teeth
Among these issues, one common oral health problem many adults face is gum recession. Gum recession is a cosmetic inconvenience but, more importantly, a leading cause of other dental problems. The tooth root, soft tissue, and cementum are exposed as the gum recedes. Cementum is more susceptible to tooth decay than enamel, causing the risk of tooth sensitivity, tooth decay and gum decay to be heightened. These dental issues are very common in adults over the age of 50.
The complexities of oral and dental health in adults 50+, including the unique requirements arising from more extensive medical history, make it essential for patients to find a dentist who takes a comprehensive approach to dentistry. At The Center for Adult Dentistry, our dental professionals look beneath the surface to the "root" cause of issues (pun intended!) in order to prescribe treatment plans that provide immediate relief or restorations while also protecting against further damage or deterioration in the future.
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Common effects of aging on teeth include: shortened teeth, uneven teeth (especially the bottom), staining and discoloration, gum recession and bone loss.
Changes to the shape and volume of the teeth and gums can affect the muscles around the mouth. You will notice drooping, giving a sunken-in appearance. The area around the mouth starts to wrinkle because the teeth's support is no longer there.
When the upper portion of a veneer is thickened, wrinkles around the lips can also be reduced. As a result, the skin above the veneer is pushed out, smoothing the upper lip wrinkles while producing the appearance of full, pouty lips. Longer veneers can be positioned to help your teeth appear longer and to create an effortlessly youthful look. Veneers will also help push out the lower lip, helping restore the shape of the mouth and reducing the appearance of wrinkles around the mouth.
Veneers can also help restore your teeth to a natural color, removing some of the cosmetic signs of aging. If your teeth are crowded or distorted, thin veneers create beautiful alignment. If you are considering an improvement to the appearance of your smile and mouth, schedule a consultation at The Center for Adult Dentistry for more information on how porcelain veneers can restore your smile and reduce the signs of aging.
PATIENT RESOURCES: FAQS
Questions? We're here for you.
General Dentistry
At routine dental examinations and hygiene treatments, the hygienist or dentist may ask if your teeth are sensitive. For some patients, this question may seem difficult to answer. A key indicator of tooth sensitivity may be if you experience a sharp, sudden pain in your teeth when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks or even when you brush your teeth. This discomfort is often a jolt of pain that quickly passes. Discomfort during normal activities, or tooth sensitivity, may be a sign of exposed tooth roots or worn enamel, which can lead to more serious and costly dental conditions if not treated promptly. Please consult your dentist if you experience ongoing tooth sensitivity.
If you experience pain or discomfort when eating or drinking, you can use a desensitizing toothpaste formulated for tooth sensitivity. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is essential to treating sensitive teeth.
Other tips that may help:
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Use a toothbrush with soft bristles
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Avoid acidic foods and beverages
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Consult with your dentist, who may apply a fluoride gel to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity
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Bad breath, or halitosis, may be caused by a variety of factors. Poor oral hygiene typically causes bad breath, which can often be remedied by brushing twice daily, flossing daily and visiting your dentist regularly. Controlling the build-up of food, plaque and bacteria in your mouth and between your teeth helps to control bad breath at all ages.
Causes of bad breath include:
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Poor oral hygiene - Food particles left on your teeth, gums and tongue can cause bacteria to grow. Also, make sure that you are cleaning your dentures properly.
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Certain foods and drinks - Eating strong-smelling foods like garlic, onions or cabbage can cause bad breath. Alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods can also dry out your mouth, leading to bad breath.
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Gum disease - Gingivitis or periodontitis can cause bad breath and taste in your mouth.
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At The Center for Adult Dentistry, providing expert dental care in Temecula and La Quinta, CA, our goal is for all our patients to have a calm and relaxing experience at our dental office. We understand that dental and medical procedures may cause anxiety, so we offer several sedation methods to ensure your comfort during treatment. Furthermore, our professionals are highly trained to provide a relaxing and safe experience, and we truly care about perfection in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
If you are nervous about visiting the dentist or experience dental anxiety, please contact our dental office today. Our team looks forward to meeting you and restoring your faith and confidence in safe, comfortable and honest dentistry.
Fillings, Crowns and Restorations
Though you may have heard both terms used in dentistry, a cap and a crown are the same thing. When teeth become weak from age or large fillings, a cap or crown is placed over the tooth as a sturdy "band-aid" to avoid splitting and cracking of the original tooth. Crowns are also needed when a tooth has undergone root canal treatment.
If you have a crown that is several years old, you may start to notice a black line forming around the crown. This black line forms from the crown’s core metal lining. This discoloration can be fixed by replacing the existing crown with a porcelain crown. Porcelain crowns are more natural looking, using porcelain layering over the tooth. This process makes your teeth look whiter and creates a natural shape and color.
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can lead to a range of issues, including difficulty chewing, bone loss in the jaw and shifting of the remaining teeth. The longer that you wait to replace a missing tooth, the greater your risk of developing gum disease. If you are missing any teeth, The Center for Adult Dentistry provides a comprehensive approach to tooth replacement options as well as complimentary consultations for new patients. Dr. Cutts can recommend various options, from a bridge or dental implant to partial dentures, to help replace missing teeth and restore oral health.
Schedule your appointment today to restore your smile and protect your oral and dental health for a lifetime.
The short answer is dental implants are better than dental bridges because they are more durable and can last a lifetime. However, dental bridges are a quicker process and a less expensive option than implants.
In order to determine what option is truly better for YOU, any patient considering implants or bridges should undergo a thorough examination by a trusted dentist. At The Center for Adult Dentistry, Dr. Dave Cutts starts by listening to your concerns, examining your current medical and dental condition, and then will recommend available treatment options suited to your unique oral health needs and preferences.
Patient Education and Empowerment:
Because the Patient Knows
Welcome to The Center for Adult Dentistry, where we believe "the patient knows" (read Our Philosophy of Dentistry here). Our core philosophy includes the belief that patients should be treated as people, with the respect and trust-based relationship each person deserves. This belief drives our commitment to educating and empowering our patients with information, resources and options when it comes to their dental and oral health. Below we offer answers to frequently asked questions about adult dentistry.
If you have additional questions about your oral and dental health, especially for those who are experiencing the effects of aging, please contact our office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Dave Cutts. His 40+ years of experience and expertise from thousands of complex cases are available to YOU - just a click away.
Teeth Whitening
Do you feel your teeth are yellowing or showing signs of discoloration? There are several options for whitening stained teeth. You can try over-the-counter products such as whitening toothpaste or whitening strips.
Your dentist can perform a professional in-office teeth whitening session for a faster and more controlled option. You will notice brighter, whiter teeth in just one session.
Look for a whitening toothpaste with the ADA seal of approval. We recommend products containing ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or baking soda to help remove surface stains.
Practice good oral hygiene habits to ensure that your teeth whitening results last. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, floss daily and rinse with a mouthwash.
Avoid dark foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. If you consume these, rinse your mouth with water after enjoying coffee or a glass of wine, which can also help prevent staining.
Teeth whitening is generally safe but can damage your teeth if not done properly. Misusing peroxide-based bleaching agents can damage enamel over time, causing sensitivity and white spots on teeth.
Professional teeth whitening is generally considered safe and effective - and the preferred method for teeth whitening as a result of the safety, effectiveness and immediate transformation achieved. Dentists use various methods to whiten teeth and can ensure that you get the best results without damaging your teeth. However, certain patients are not good candidates for teeth whitening and should consider alternative cosmetic dentistry treatments to achieve a brighter, whiter smile. Talk to your Temecula dentist to learn if teeth whitening is a recommended and effective option for you.
Most teeth whitening procedures can whiten your teeth up to seven or eight shades lighter. Consider lightening your teeth to match the whites of your eyes. Teeth that are whiter than the whites of your eyes often look unnatural. Dr. Cutts can help you find the best whitening shade for you.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, tooth-colored shells bonded to the front of the teeth to improve their appearance.
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure used to transform and enhance the smile, resulting in a more attractive, youthful appearance. Veneers can address cosmetic concerns such as:
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Correct discolored, chipped, or worn-down teeth
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Close gaps between teeth
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Change the shape or length of teeth
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Cover cracks
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Make teeth look bigger
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Straighten crooked teeth
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Braces before veneers are not required for a better smile. During your consultation at The Center for Adult Dentistry, your Temecula dentist, Dr. Dave Cutts, will advise you on your oral health and the best process to achieve your desired results.
With porcelain veneers, it is possible to:
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Create a symmetrical smile
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Enhance the color of your teeth
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Rebuild teeth damaged by chipped enamel, minor breaks or discoloration
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Align slightly crooked and misaligned teeth
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Improve your bite
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The number of teeth that need veneers for a smile makeover depends on several factors, including the size of your smile, the severity of your cosmetic issues, and your oral health.
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Smile size - If your smile is small, you might only need veneers for the six visible teeth. If your smile is larger, you might need veneers for up to 10 teeth.
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Cosmetic Issues - If you have severe discoloration or your teeth are chipped, shortened, or flattened, you might need veneers for every visible tooth.
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Treatment goals - If you want to correct obvious flaws while keeping your natural look, you might only need veneers for the teeth in your "smile zone."
The dentist can provide the best advice on how many veneers you need for your smile makeover. During your complimentary consultation with Dr. Dave Cutts, he can evaluate your circumstances, discuss your expectations, and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan to achieve your desired result.
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Caring for dental veneers is similar to caring for your natural teeth. With proper care and hygiene habits, dental veneers can be expected to maintain their vibrancy and durability for years.
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Brush and floss regularly - Maintain a consistent brushing routine with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Floss daily to remove food particles from between your teeth.
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Avoid hard foods - Don’t bite into hard foods like nuts, ice or hard candy, as they can chip or crack your veneers.
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Limit staining substances—Avoid foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries and dark-colored sodas.
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Consider a nightguard* - if you grind your teeth, wear a mouthguard at night to prevent damage to your veneers.
*Why wear a nightguard if you have dental veneers (and for natural teeth)? Wearing a mouth guard while you sleep can produce many benefits, especially for patients with dental veneers. A nightguard can help reduce the risk for wear and tear from clenching or grinding your teeth, but also help with other oral health conditions, including:
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Snoring
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Jaw pain, headaches, facial pain and other symptoms of TMJ disorder
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Sleep apnea and related complications
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Dental bonding and porcelain veneers are two cosmetic dentistry procedures that treat similar dental issues, including cracks, discoloration, chips and gaps. During teeth bonding, your dentist will apply and harden a composite resin material to the damaged surface or area of your teeth. As a result, your tooth will ‘bind’ and return to its natural position. Teeth bonding is a smoother and faster procedure that usually requires a single dental visit, whereas veneers may require two or more visits.
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that help cover the front of the teeth. Veneers are ideal for concealing gaps and correcting the appearance of crooked, misshapen, or stained teeth. This procedure takes longer and usually requires removing some tooth enamel and then reshaping the tooth.
If you want to correct a single tooth or fix a tiny chip, teeth bonding often makes the most sense. However, dental veneers can be the better option if you want to transform your smile as they cover the entire tooth.
Enamel shaping involves contouring natural teeth to improve their overall appearance by removing small amounts of tooth enamel to change a tooth's length, shape, or surface contours.
Enamel shaping can improve the look and functionality of your smile and help maintain better oral health by reducing areas where plaque might collect. The results of enamel shaping are usually long-lasting, but in some cases, the shape may begin to wear away over time.
ARE YOU OVER 50 OR EXPERIENCING COMPLEX DENTAL PROBLEMS? WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.