A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health
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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health

My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.

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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health

Dental Issues That May Arise As You Age

Bella Snyder

If you are an older adult and have noticed that you have been experiencing an increasing number of dental issues, you are not alone. Some people are more prone to oral health problems as they age. Here are some issues that may become more prevalent as you grow older.

Loose Teeth

As a person grows older, they may be more likely to experience loose teeth. The loosening frequently occurs due to changes in the girth of the jawbone.

If some of the teeth have been extracted or lost, over time, due to the lack of teeth to transmit stimulating bite forces, the jawbone may shrink. The shrinkage can limit the support that the jawbone provides to the teeth. As a result, too much space may develop between the roots of the teeth and the sockets of the bone, permitting the teeth to become loose or wiggly. If the mass of the jawbone does not increase, the teeth may even fall out.

Dental Discoloration

The teeth of an older person may become increasingly discolored with time. The discoloration is often due to two issues: enamel erosion and dental staining. The erosion can be caused by simple wear and town on the teeth. As you eat hard objects or brush your teeth, minute amounts of tooth enamel may be lost.

The enamel is the whitest layer of the tooth material. The dentin that lies just below the enamel has a pale yellow color. Thus, as the enamel wears away and the dentin layer is exposed, the teeth appear darker. After enamel erosion, the teeth can only be whitened using applications that can cover the discolored enamel, such as dental crowns or dental veneers. Tooth enamel does not regenerate.

Staining is due to the absorption of pigmented compounds from foods and beverages. The discoloration progresses as more pigments accumulate in the enamel's pores. The resulting darkening of the teeth can be improved by chemical whitening applications that bleach away stains using peroxide.

Sensitive Teeth

As the enamel wears away, another problem may arise with the exposure of the dentin. The dentin includes tiny tubules in which the dental nerves lie. As the dentin is exposed, environmental factors can more easily affect the dental nerves. A patient may experience pain or discomfort whenever the teeth are subjected to cold, heat, or extreme pressure. 

If you are experiencing problems with your teeth, schedule a consultation with a dental clinic like Rupp and Grabowski Family Dentistry.


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