Modern medicine has done an unbelievable job of extending our life spans and the quality of health we have in our later years. Modern dentistry, too, is helping to play a part in all this. Years ago, people would have false teeth or dentures in their midlife, but today’s it’s not unusual for people to live to a ripe old age with their own teeth. But keeping teeth healthy and cavity free as we age requires extra work, because aging actually makes us more susceptible to cavities. The main reason for this is that, with age, we get varying degree of gum recession and bone loss around our teeth, which leaves their roots exposed. These roots are softer than the rest of your teeth and aren’t protected by enamel, so it’s much easier for decay to set in and cause trouble.

The plaque that forms on teeth is made up of the bacteria responsible for decay. Diligent removal of that plaque through brushing and flossing is essential to preventing root cavities. If the plaque sits along the gum line, cavities will form. The roots are so thin and soft that decay can advance to the nerve area of the tooth very quickly.

Saliva helps wash away plaque before it forms, but as we age our saliva flow decreases. Sometimes this is due to certain medical conditions we may develop, such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and anemia. Drugs that are taken to treat certain diseases can also results in less saliva. In fact, over 1,000 drugs list dry mouth as a side effect, including some anti-allergy medications, decongestants, epilepsy medications, and drugs that treat high blood pressure. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs and sedatives also have this effect. The result of this decreased saliva flow is increased plaque along the gum line, which require increased attention to its removal.

People often combat dry mouth by sucking on hard candies like LifeSavers. These candies will increase saliva, which helps lubricate the mouth, but that sweet succulence comes with a price.

In our next blog, we’ll further explore the dangers of these seemingly innocent treats.