How Your Mouth Changes
Certain changes can be expected to occur in your mouth as you age. Your sense of taste changes largely as a result of a decrease in smell. Gum tissue become more dense and less elastic and the teeth become darker. Your dentist and hygienist can help you keep your teeth while keeping them as white as possible.
Next: Tooth Loss
Darker teeth:
As we age, plaque can build up faster and in greater amounts. Also, the pulp chamber shrinks, causing the dentin (the bone-like tissue that is under your enamel) to become thicker and appear slightly darker.
Loss of sensation:
A smaller pulp chamber and thicker dentin can also lead to a loss of sensation in the teeth themselves, which can lead to advanced dental decay before an older patient feels any symptoms. This makes regular visits to your dentist as important now as anytime in your life.
Changes in the enamel:
The enamel surface flattens due to wear.
Changes in gum tissue:
The gum tissue becomes more dense, is less responsive to inflammation, and has less mechanical strength. Oral soft tissues become thinner, are less hydrated and elastic, are more susceptible to infection, and require a longer time to heal.
Changes in sense of taste:
Changes in your sense of taste are due to several factors, including associated age-related decrease in the sense of smell, certain diseases, medications and dentures. These changes can result in a loss of appetite.
