Keep your teeth looking young and healthy. Photo / 123rf
Around 89% of people think bad teeth make you look older. Dental experts weigh in on how to look after your gnashers as you age
As we grow older, our once-sparkling smiles can become the most ageing part of our faces. Discoloured teeth, receding gums and overcrowding – which leads teeth to become crooked – are an instant giveaway of our advancing years, with one survey finding that 89% of people think bad teeth make people look older.
And the problem isn’t merely cosmetic: the chances of experiencing major issues with our teeth and gums increase with age, too. According to the British Society of Periodontology, more than 45% of adults are affected by gum disease. This prevalence rises as we age and can not only lead to infections and tooth loss but also to serious illnesses such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
“Many people notice that with age they lose what they regard to be a ‘youthful smile’,” says Dr Sam Jethwa of Bespoke Smile. “It’s vital to protect our teeth and gums with a good oral hygiene routine to prevent this.”
Here are the eight best ways to future-proof your teeth.
The basis of the saying “getting long in the tooth”, receding gums are to some degree inevitable. Thankfully, the process can be slowed by taking more care with brushing.
Many of us are cleaning our teeth incorrectly and wearing away our gums. “Receding gums are often caused by brushing teeth too hard,” says Dr Jethwa. “When gums recede they expose the tops of your teeth which are the most sensitive parts. Not only does this affect the smile aesthetically, it can also lead to sensitivity and other problems such as tooth decay and loss.”
Dental hygienist Laura Schikkerling recommends thinking about “gum-line cleaning” with an electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. “Position the brush partly on a single tooth and partly on the gum above it,” she says, then pivot finely in that fixed position for three or four seconds before moving on to the next tooth. “It should take four to five minutes to finish the job.”
Dr Shaadi Manouchehri of Smart Dental and Aesthetics suggests avoiding cleaning your teeth immediately after eating to protect the enamel. This is because the pH level of your mouth is at its highest as your digestive system kicks in to work on your food.
“When you’ve just eaten, the mouth is in a very acidic state so if you brush straight away you’re rubbing that acid on your teeth, which will wear them down,” she says.
Dr Jethwa recommends limiting the amount of acid in your diet, but if you consume something acidic, such as a fizzy drink, or fruit, “immediately rinse your mouth out with water, and then wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth”.
Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of flossing in preventing gum disease and its potential effects on overall health, including research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which revealed a link between consistent flossing and a reduced risk of heart disease.
“Flossing should be done daily to remove plaque and food particles between the teeth that brushing cannot reach,” says Dr Krystyna Wilczynski, a cosmetic dentist.
Water flossers, hand-held devices that squirt water between and around teeth, have become popular in recent years. “Personally, I always recommend manual flossing with traditional string floss and interdental brushes as it’s much more convenient than a water flosser,” says Dr Wilczynski. “However, a water flosser can be a great tool for those who find manual flossing difficult, for example, if you have fixed retainers behind your teeth.”
She also urges everyone to visit the hygienist every six months for a deep clean.
An antiseptic mouthwash containing fluoride helps eliminate harmful bacteria and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. However, Dr Jethwa warns not to do it immediately after brushing: “This will wash away the fluoride from the toothpaste.” Choose another time to use it, such as after lunch, and don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes afterwards.
One of the main culprits for the decline in the appearance of our teeth with age is a thickening of dentin, the yellow, core structure of the teeth. At the same time, the enamel coating becomes thinner as a result of daily wear and tear; this is exacerbated by factors including smoking and drinking tea, coffee and red wine. The result? Teeth gradually become more yellow.
Dr Asif Hamid, the clinical director of Privé Clinics, warns against whitening toothpaste. “Toothpastes marketed for whitening are often abrasive and should be used with caution to avoid enamel erosion,” he says. Over-the-counter whitening products can have the same effect.
Instead, he recommends professional teeth whitening treatments including hydrogen peroxide. These can be administered by a dentist or provided by them for use with trays at home. “They’re typically safe and efficient in eliminating stains resulting from ageing, smoking and dietary habits,” he says.
Dr Jethwa is scathing about the recent trend of using purple whitening toothpaste. “The purple isn’t removing any stains, it is just adding a cooler tone to the tooth, with temporary results which will disappear as soon as you eat or drink,” he says.
As we age, our teeth have a tendency to crowd and move forward to the front of our mouth, making them look more crooked. The British Orthodontic Society reports that three-quarters of their members have seen more adults asking for braces in recent years, with clear options such as Invisalign skyrocketing in popularity.
The average cost is between £2,000 and £5,000 ($4240 to $10,600), and it takes an average of 12 to 18 months, with patients needing new aligners every week or two. So are they worth it for midlifers dissatisfied with their smiles? “I believe midlife braces are definitely worth the cost,” says Dr Wilczynski. She points out that the benefits aren’t purely cosmetic: “If you suffer from crowding, which can limit your hygiene and plaque control, braces can be a great option to mitigate this while also enhancing your smile.”
Dr Hamid agrees, saying: “Research shows that adult orthodontic treatment leads to substantial enhancements in the quality of life related to oral health, such as improving patients’ ability to eat and clean their teeth properly, as well as their appearance.”
It’s vital to wear retainers after treatment to prevent teeth from drifting back again.
Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, is more common as we age, thanks to a reduction in our saliva to wash food particles away, leading to xerostomia, or dry mouth. “This causes a breeding ground for bacteria, which leads to bad breath,” says Dr Wilczynski.
The simplest way to battle halitosis is to practise good oral hygiene and visit the dentist for regular check-ups. “Chewing sugar-free gum is also a good way to stimulate saliva production,” says Dr Jethwa.
Many people find that their teeth look shorter as they age, or become chipped or jagged, particularly if they have a habit of nighttime clenching or grinding. Over time, this can cause small cracks in our teeth, which can eventually result in them breaking. A protective mouthguard can prevent these damaging effects.
Dental sealants – plastic coatings such as Duraphat, applied to the deep grooves of the back teeth – are usually used on children and teenagers, but can sometimes also be an option for chronic teeth-grinders.
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