Even with the best oral hygiene, wear and tear takes a toll on teeth as you age. Changes to our bite can lead to additional oral health issues, increasing the likelihood of cavities and gum disease. Bite changes can also lead to cosmetic issues that can cause us to lose confidence and self-esteem as we get older. Fortunately, your family dentist can help with treatment and prevention if you notice a change in your bite.
What Causes Age-Related Bite Changes?
We may see our teeth gradually shifting inward or outward as we age. Small amounts of movement are normal, but more significant bite misalignment is usually a sign of more severe problems and requires action. Some of the causes of age-related bite changes include:
- Wear and tear: A lifetime of clenching, grinding, biting, and chewing affects your teeth, wearing away your enamel and shifting your bite. Because of grinding, your molars may become flatter, and your front teeth are more likely to chip or break.
- Your jawbone becomes less dense as you age, creating a weaker anchor for your teeth. This can cause crowding and shifting, especially in the lower front teeth.
- Missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration, often causing neighboring teeth to shift. These shifts can cause significant problems for your bite alignment and create a vicious cycle of gum and bone health problems.
- Menopause: decreased levels of the hormone estrogen also contribute to bone loss and shifting teeth.
- Gum health: your gums are your teeth’s essential anchors. Keeping them healthy is vital for preventing bite misalignment. Gum disease causes your gums to pull away from your teeth and damages the sockets around your tooth roots, causing bone loss and shifting and loosening teeth.
- Dental work, including fillings, implants and crowns, can affect your bite. We tend to need more extensive dental interventions as we age.
- If you’ve had previous orthodontic work and stop wearing your retainer, your teeth re-shift.
Why Are Bite Changes A Problem?
A misaligned bite can make teeth more challenging to clean and cause several oral health problems.
- The increased pressure associated with a misaligned bite increases the likelihood of tooth chipping and cracking.
- We often see chewing problems in seniors due to a misaligned bite or missing teeth. These problems can lead to nutritional deficiencies and impact overall health.
- Bite changes can contribute to TMJ disorders, including facial pain related to problems with the jaw joints.
- Misalignment increases the chances of tooth decay and makes teeth harder to clean and floss. It damages enamel and weakens the ability to fight tooth decay.
- Shifting teeth can make it easier for food and bacteria to get trapped in gums, making periodontal disease more likely.
- Shifting or missing teeth causes cosmetic issues, which can damage self-esteem and contribute to depression in older adults.
How Old Will I Be When My Bite Changes?
Some young adults may see teeth shift if they stop wearing retainers after orthodontic care as teens. Pregnancy and menopause can also cause hormonal shifts that lead to shifting or loose teeth. However, most bite changes happen in patients 50 and older as receding gums, weakened jawbones and missing teeth take a toll.
What Warning Signs Should I Look For?
Seeing your family dentist regularly is one of the best ways to prevent and catch bite misalignment early. Some warning signs include:
- Your teeth gradually appear shorter or longer, or your gums show when you smile.
- Your teeth seem to break or chip more quickly as you age.
- You notice new gaps, spaces or crowding.
- You have trouble eating or speaking,
How Can I Prevent And Treat Bite Changes As I Age?
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy with oral hygiene and preventive care is the best way to keep your bite in excellent shape. Brushing, flossing, and regular checkups help keep gums healthy and prevent tooth and bone loss, providing a stable anchor for your teeth. Other tips include:
- Eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to promote bone health.
- See your family dentist regularly for preventive care.
- Get restorative treatments if you need to replace a tooth, including implants, crowns and bridges.
- If you grind and clench, talk with your family dentist about a custom mouthguard. A mouthguard protects your molars as you sleep and prevents damage to delicate restorative treatments like crowns and implants.
Is Orthodontic Care An Option As I Get Older?
It’s never too late for orthodontic care. The number of adults getting orthodontic care has never been higher as Baby Boomers and Generation Xers discover clear aligners like Invisalign. Invisalign is convenient and allows us to avoid the aesthetic concerns and extra orthodontist visits associated with traditional braces. One of the best things about Invisalign is that you can complete treatment with your family dentist instead of making separate appointments with your orthodontist. Invisalign aligners are made from clear, comfortable plastic (no metal brackets or wires are needed). Patients wear them around 22 hours a day, removing them to eat, drink, brush and floss. At Greenhill Family Dental Care, we’ve had extraordinary success with adult patients and Invisalign, allowing older patients to address longstanding orthodontic issues and age-related shifts. We love helping adult patients restore and protect their smiles and move forward with confidence.
