Within our bodies lies the miraculous power of renewal: even if you’ve been around for 40 years or more, most of the cells in your body are no more than 10 years old. But as we age, the body’s ability to replace and refresh our tissues declines, affecting almost every part of us – and the mouth is no exception. When you factor in the daily stresses our mouths withstand, it’s clear that in middle age and beyond, they require extra care to remain healthy, gleaming and disease-free.
Wear and tear
“Our teeth are protected by enamel, which is a hard, protective coating, but damage over time can cause it to gradually wear away,” says Amanda Sheehan, clinical and educational support specialist at TePe, a brand that specialises in products that help keep mouths healthy. “When this happens, the dentine underneath is exposed. Dentine has a naturally yellow colour so you may also appear to lose whiteness, and your teeth may be less stain-resistant, so coffee, tea, and other high-coloured food and drinks are more problematic.” But that’s not all. “With age, you may also start to notice some gum recession, exposing the base of the tooth,” says Sheehan. “This makes it easier for plaque bacteria to build up, causing bleeding, swelling and potential soreness of the gums, which is known as gum disease.”
