As we grow old, our bodies go through a multifaceted transformation that leaves us looking weak and worn out—one of the areas primarily affected by these changes in the mouth. Many dental complications come with age, including cavities, gum diseases, loose teeth, tooth decay, and many more.
However, some dental issues are not common in people who are 40 years and above. Continue reading to learn more about the uncommon dental problems after 40.
Crowded or Misaligned teeth
The problem of crowded or misaligned teeth happens when there isn’t enough room in your jaw for teeth to erupt. It can also occur when there is too much space in your jaw, resulting in spaced and gapped teeth (diastema). This problem is only common in teenagers and young adults who are likely to develop more teeth like wisdom teeth. So, it’s uncommon to find a 40-year-old patient with this problem.
To prevent this problem, you should remove the problematic wisdom teeth immediately. If it’s not because of an impacted wisdom tooth, you can wear dental braces to rectify the misalignment.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When a person reaches puberty, they develop two molars in their upper and lower jaws. These molars are commonly referred to as wisdom teeth. Sometimes these last molars, which erupt at the back of the mouth, have to push themselves out through the tiny room available in your jaw.
This means that they will either get stuck inside the gum or grow at the wrong angle. This is what dentists refer to as impacted wisdom teeth. The problem of impacted wisdom teeth is only common in people aged between 15 and 25. Therefore, it’s very rare to have an impacted wisdom tooth after 40 years unless you have had the problem since your adolescence.
Oral Cavities
Oral cavities are a result of permanently damaged areas of teeth that caused tiny holes. These damages can be a result of bacterial infection, excess sugar, and poor oral health. If left untreated, cavities can cause toothache, infections, and tooth loss. however, cavities are only common in kids and young adults.
Studies have shown that 20 percent of children will have an oral cavity in their childhood. Therefore, it’s very rare to find a 40-year-old patient with an oral cavity. You can prevent cavities by avoiding sugary food and drinks and maintaining proper oral hygiene. It’s also good to go for regular dental checkups so that the problem can be detected and dealt with before it advances.