Fall is coming…should your teeth change colors like the trees?

Now that fall is approaching, I felt it appropriate to ask: should your teeth be like leaves and change colors? Teeth usually change colors when an external event has occurred, such as a fall, trauma from a blunt object, or tooth decay (a cavity). They can also change colors due to exposure from the fluids we drink, such as tea, coffee, and sodas as well as the artificial colors that are added to the foods we eat (to make them look better, certainly not for any nutritional value).

The normal, natural color of teeth can vary greatly. As you may know, teeth are made of two substances. The hard outer shell is known as enamel, and the inner portion called dentin.

The color of enamel can vary from white, to shades of yellow or even gray. Sometimes, the enamel can be stained because of the different chemicals you were exposed to in the water you drink as the teeth were being formed. The enamel can also be malformed if you had a serious illness as a child (during the tooth forming years). Furthermore, genetics can also play a roll in enamel formation and color. Smoking can also stain teeth, and in combination with staining liquids can make your teeth look really bad.

As we mature, the enamel portion of the tooth will wear and become thinner. Now, some of the inner portion (dentin) can start to show through and influence the tooth color. The dentin may actually become visible when the overlying enamel shell has partially or completely worn away. Add to that the staining power of foods and liquids that pass through our mouth, and you can understand why teeth can get stained and ugly. Call us to schedule an appointment and we can recommend options to restore the natural beauty of your teeth.

Alzheimer’s and Periodontal Disease. A link?

Memory, walking speed, and problem solving are all more likely to affect those with periodontal disease, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The study […] looked at 3,166 adults aged 60 or over from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and compared their performance in tests of memory and walking speed. The results showed that the people with none of their own teeth performed approximately 10% worse in both memory and walking speed tests than the people with teeth.

The study did not postulate a causative link between tooth loss and early-onset memory problems, but it is thought that tooth loss could be an early indication of oncoming mental and physical decline among the older population.

“Regardless of what is behind the link between tooth loss and decline in function, recognizing excessive tooth loss presents an opportunity for early identification of adults at higher risk of faster mental and physical decline later in their life. There are many factors likely to influence this decline, such as lifestyle and psychosocial factors, which are amenable to change.” says lead author Dr Georgios Tsakos UCL Epidemiology & Public Health).

Regular dentist visits are important for prevention of gum disease. Dr. Berdy and your hygienists can remove plaque buildup that can irritate the gums and lead to tooth loss. We also can detect early signs of gum disease. Just remember, prevention begins at home. Brushing and flossing twice daily, eating right and avoiding tobacco will help prevent gum disease.