People generally do not think about their teeth much. In fact, when your family dentist asks you if you have any questions for him/her or about your visit in general, you probably have nothing to say. Here are some examples of questions dentists rarely hear but you should be asking anyway.
How Long Should Adult Teeth Last?
Everybody knows (or at least has a good idea) how long baby teeth last, but do you know how long adult teeth last? Better yet, should they last your entire life or do they only last until a certain age? These are all good questions to ask your dentist, and here are some of the answers.
Your dentist has some expert answers for these questions, and it helps to get his/her input as well.
Do Teeth Become Really Fragile with Age?
If you suffer from osteoporosis, it can affect the integrity of your teeth too. There are other bone diseases, such as bone cancer, which can cause your teeth to become really fragile. A particularly poor diet will also make your teeth fragile because your teeth are not getting key nutrients to make them strong (e.g., calcium, vitamin D, etc.). The answer to this question then is not so much about age as it is about a person's health, although many of these diseases and health problems often strike later in life.
Can the Dentist Predict How Long My Teeth Will Last?
The answer is yes and no. If your teeth are riddled with cavities, cracks, and splits from bruxism or other visible damage, your dentist may be able to give a ballpark age of when you might need crowns, partial dentures, and/or full dentures. If your teeth are in excellent shape with minimal to no damage, it is nearly impossible to predict when you might lose all of your teeth, regardless of your current age.
For more information, contact local professionals like Jeffrey S. Thaller DMD.
Share19 October 2016
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.