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fluoride mouthrinses will help remineralize enamel and help prevent caries during orthodontic treatment . 7
Most people in their teens and 20s do not experience periodontal disease unless they have physical or cognitive issues with homecare or are taking certain medications that make them more susceptible to dental caries , Dr . Levy notes . But perhaps starting in young adulthood and becoming more prevalent in middle age , the gum recession associated with periodontal disease commences . When soft tissue has receded and is no longer covering tooth roots , it contributes to higher rates of decay or cavities in middle-aged and older adults . “ The crown has enamel covering it , which is the hardest substance in the body ,” Dr . Levy says . “ It ’ s stronger than the rest of the tooth , and it ’ s stronger than bone . Because the root surface doesn ’ t have enamel , it is not as resistant to decay .” Explaining to patients that the root surface is not designed like the crown of the tooth may help them understand how important it is to maintain oral tissue health .
According to Dr . Levy , as people approach middle age many start to experience health problems that require medications that can reduce salivary flow . This can lead to salivary challenges , further recession , and accumulation of previous dental disease , which continues to put them at greater risk . They may also experience reduced dexterity or cognitive acuity , which can limit their ability to properly clean their teeth .
“ There is more or less a steady gradient between early adulthood and people in their 80s , although the numbers of teeth lost are much lower now than they were two or even one generation ago ,” Dr . Levy points out . “ So , people turning 50 or 60 at the turn of the century would ’ ve had a lot more lost teeth due to the accumulation of cavities and periodontal disease than the cohort that would be turning 50 , 60 , or 70 now .”
Reinforcing the Importance of Fluoride Use for Lifelong Dental Health
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