Q: Do dental issues get better or worse as you get older?
A: Every stage of life has its challenges and opportunities; that applies to dental issues as well. Dental issues don’t necessarily get worse as you age, particularly if you have been attentive to your teeth all your life. Adolescents, for instance, often deal with gingivitis, the gum inflammation that some researchers think is a by-product of hormonal change at puberty or the result of a typical teenage diet and poor oral hygiene. They may also deal with orthodontic appliances.
The elderly, on the other hand, deal with changes like receding gums, a condition that leaves tooths root exposed. Hence the saying, “long in the tooth” for a person who is aging. The exposed part of the tooth is susceptible to decay and to abrasion from brushing. If their oral hygiene practices have not been good through adulthood, older individuals could also be dealing with the problem of lost teeth.
So, every age presents its challenges when it comes to oral health. The best way to be prepared for them is to visit your dentist regularly and practice good oral hygiene all through your life.
If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.
The foods we eat on a regular basis influence the makeup of the bacteria — both good and bad — in our mouths. While it well known that sugary foods contribute to tooth decay, researchers are finding that they also play a large role in periodontal disease as well as overall systemic health. 
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Q: How can I keep my teeth for my entire lifetime?
Gum disease affects nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 years of age. Smoking cigarettes is a known risk factor for developing gum disease, but less is known about the impact of e-cigarettes — which vaporize nicotine and other chemicals — on oral health, especially the long-term consequences of vaping.