Important Info about Teeth!
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free skin care · Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:33 am

I got this info from a friend's cosmetic dentist, he said:

when you're "our" age (50-60) your front teeth should be considered strictly cosmetic. If you want to keep them the rest of your life you should never bite or chew with your front teeth. So that means tearing little pieces of bread etc. and using a fork all the time, even when eating a sandwich.

I had asked her to talk to him about this because I have fractures in my front teeth so worried! now I'll just adapt and do what he says!!!

free skin care · Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:15 am

This is true, my mother had the same thing said to her. It makes complete sense an unfortunate fact of life is that the older you get the more everything starts to break down and the teeth are unfortunately no exception.

Wed Oct 26, 2011 2:30 am

Is that so? well thanks for this. It added some knowledge on me. I will take note of this.

free skin care · Wed Oct 26, 2011 5:14 am

dalejohn wrote:

Is that so? well thanks for this. It added some knowledge on me. I will take note of this.

Any time, you will learn allot on EDS Smile

free skin care · Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:14 am

I've been thinking about this ever since I read it a few days ago. It makes perfect sense. I've seen many our age who have craze lines, cracks and have had questions and complaints of teeth chipping or cracking easily in the front. Teeth do lose minerals over time due to repeated years of acidic foods (simplistic explanation but you get the idea).

Another suggestion for fortifying teeth is to use Arm And Hammer Enamel Strenghtening toothpaste, designed as an age-defying toothpaste: a marvelous product for helping to strengthen and restore the lost enamel matrix, in part via restoring lost minerals.

secretly wrote:

I got this info from a friend's cosmetic dentist, he said:

when you're "our" age (50-60) your front teeth should be considered strictly cosmetic. If you want to keep them the rest of your life you should never bite or chew with your front teeth. So that means tearing little pieces of bread etc. and using a fork all the time, even when eating a sandwich.

I had asked her to talk to him about this because I have fractures in my front teeth so worried! now I'll just adapt and do what he says!!!

free skin care · Wed Oct 26, 2011 9:30 pm

I would be interested in trying this toothpaste, I have always thought teeth to be just as important as skin, and if it's a good thing to do age prevention for the skin then it's probably a good idea to do it for the teeth ten to. Is that tooth paste available in Australia?

free skin care · Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:55 pm

I'm not near 50 yet but I skimmed this thread yesterday, and sure enough, last night I chomped down the wrong way and chipped my tooth! Its very minor and it's only happened once before, just a few months go. My dentist has said I have very good teeth (lots of milk as a kid & good oral hygeine?) so don't need to go for cleanings more than once a year, etc, so this info about age & teeth is scary!

Thanks, I'm going to look for the toothpaste. If anyone knows of any particular ingredients in it or other products which are beneficial for fortifying teeth, please post! Maybe there's something I can sink my teeth into like you do a fluoride treatment or whitening gel, for a few minutes every week.
Yikes - this makes me really think twice about using whitening treatments!

Thank you so much for making us aware of this Secretly!

free skin care · Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:21 pm

I don't think I really use my front teeth to much, I seem to always chew on one side of my mouth and it definantly affects teeth I have 3 fillings all in the right side of my mouth and was scared when my dentist said there was signs of decay probably due to the ridiculous amounts of diet coke I've drank for 10 years whereas my left side is perfect.

I have the Dr Georges starter kit which I'm gonna use but I did once scrape my front tooth with tweezers and have developed a line which stains now sink into when I drink red wine it really shows up so am a bit worried about using such strong whitener especially as I've never used one before.

Sat Oct 29, 2011 6:23 pm

Wait so we're not supposed to use our front teeth ever? Shock

Has anyone done this and stuck to it? I'm afraid everyone is going to laugh at me for carrying a fork and knife for things like...pizza. I guess I shouldn't be eating pizza to begin with, but what about apples, oranges, bananas??? Laughing

Do I slice up a banana and pick at it with my fork? I would laugh at me too actually, but at least I'll have strong teeth. Very Happy

Seriously, though, is it really for all food, or can we get a pass for soft foods?

free skin care · Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:15 am

I would think that if you saw your dentist regularly - ie. Every 6 months then there would be no need for special toothpaste etc. In fact, I saw mine recently when I thought I had chipped my front tooth - he just applied something like supa glue and it's been fine. He also said so long as I have regular scale and polish and check ups my teeth should stay healthy for many years. I am almost 45.

free skin care · Mon Oct 31, 2011 6:04 pm

Ava10, you have me laughing so hard

, but I'm taking notes coz I have a friend who is in his 60's who had to get all his teeth replaced. He now has a beautiful set of teeth and I at first thought it was so cool; like a mini-makeover. But when he told me how much it cost (And he paid it in only two instalments--equivalent to the price of two cars!), I realized his advice "Take care of the teeth you have so you don't have to go through what I went through" is advice I need to heed. The procedure involved several visits with a "mock set" being fitted before the final one. So yes, I'm not taking any of this info shared lightly. Maybe you can just break the banana with your fingers and pop it in your mouth? Very Happy

BTW, I drink my coffee with a straw and I've heard it shared that it's good for your front teeth. That's not why I do it. I didn't I know this point when I started doing it. I just find I can't sip hot drinks with my lips coz I get burned, hence the straw. Who knew this might be good for teeth.

Hey, while on the topic of teeth, does anyone know about charcoal and whitening/strengthening teeth? I know about charcoal as a remedy for abdominal gas but this video intrigued me: http://youtu.be/4Z5jrz8GsaE

free skin care · Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:37 pm

I went to a Continuing Education course in spring about strengthening enamel. For ALL OF US our teeth age and weaken. The foods we eat and drink are a factor and NOT all dentists know or will validate this info. I do know it's true. It is my livelihood.
You need a toothpaste designed to promote, protect and strengthen the enamel matrix or it WILL show signs of wear. The patented product in USA is Arm and Hammer Enamel Strengthening. I use it once a day and Colgate total another time - (in between is up for grabs) Always brush twice per day and floss at least once. Teeth are there but once and need to be protected and whomever dentist says they are the same throughout life has not taken the longevity study about the aging of teeth. They ( like all of the body) are the product of life long exposure and need to be guarded and protected. All one need to do is look around.

free skin care · Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:35 am

Hey Sis... Thanks for this VALUABLE info.

It really does seem common sense once you start to think of it. Not only do our BONES change do to what we eat, and don't. It seems quite reasonable that surface wear and tear is just as harmful.

What about all these bleaching agents? Do those, although making the teeth more pearly in appearance, negatively impact the integrity of our teeth?

Is it the "active ingredient" in these pastes Or the combo of ingredients that make these pastes what they are?

free skin care · Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:03 am

I somehow unsubscribed to this topic so didn't see all the response! Yes I've been a knife and fork person ever since I heard this and have passed this info on to VERY INTERESTED people like one of my PS.

Another thing the dentist said was you let your hunger override your common sense a lot and bite into things that you never should so always be aware.

I'm going to see my personal dentist next week for a horizontal ridge I have in a front tooth from biting into a fork no less, so be careful with that too. my gosh it's never ending isn't it?

I hope he can do the crazy glue thing that someone mentioned here because I do not want veneers or my teeth messed with. I'm afraid to say this because I'll hex it....but my teeth are youthful looking, bright, pearly, and translucent because I take care of them and don't drink wine or coffee so they don't have that opaque piano key look like many people my age have.

free skin care · Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:00 pm

What about toothpastes that contain NovaMin? I believe these have been scientifically demonstrated to re-mineralize teeth...i.e. - strengthen them.

I know what you all mean about aging teeth. My mom - 68 - has some that are almost clear in color and very thin.

I sometimes get chips in my front teeth and my dentist bonds them with some kind of material and a curing light - this is only a temporary fix, however. I am not sure there are any permanent bonding materials?

I am holding my own with my teeth, thankfully.
I would hate the thought of getting to the point of needing veneers or something like it.

Sad

bfg

free skin care · Thu Dec 01, 2011 1:58 am

I also want to second ClaudiaFE's question for sistersweets... what about whitening methods, such as Zoom whitening? Harmfull or harmless?

Also, what about tea: I read that it can actually strengthen enamel... but then again it stains... so how can we get the benefit of strengthening enamel without the staining?

free skin care · Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:06 pm

Wow!! And here I was thinking that teeth were for biting and chewing. I may be sliding into senility and need to be spoon fed very soon, but, as of now, there's no way I'm eating my sandwich with a knife and fork.

I would have thought that using the teeth was beneficial to keeping them healthy, the old "use it or loose it" thing.

free skin care · Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:37 pm

When I was a young woman I worked with a very gracious older lady (yes, lady) who had been to finishing school in switzerland probably sometime befor WW2. She always ate everything with a knife & fork including sandwiches. Apparently at a certain time, in a certain social class that was considered the only proper way. I will never forget how graceful she was with her cutlery, using the European knife in right, fork in left and never switching hands.

Mismis

free skin care · Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:28 pm

mismis wrote:

She always ate everything with a knife & fork including sandwiches. Mismis

did she have nice teeth? Very Happy

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2011 4:37 pm

According to this study, it is actually the molars (back teeth) which are prone to cracking after 40:

Quote:

Cracked teeth were found most frequently in the maxillary molars (33.8% in first molar, 23.4% in second molar) than in the mandibular molars (20.1% in first molar, 16.2% in second molar). 96.1% of the cracked teeth responded to the bite test, and 81.1% of the cracked teeth were observed in the mesiodistal direction. The prevalence of cracked tooth was highest in the intact teeth with no restoration, in maxillary molars, and in those over 40 years of age. When examining a intact maxillary posterior tooth that is sensitive to a bite and thermal change, crack in the mesiodistal direction need to be considered one of the causes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16643285

If you were to take this study into account and the advice of Secretly's friends cosmetic dentist, then you wouldn't be able to eat anything!

I believe that I've had more dental work done than any other human being on earth - I've had a lifetime of dental problems. But I've never been told by any dentist not to use my teeth - except when I had a temporary bridge and was told not to bite into an apple.

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:27 pm

Sure wish I'd read this about five months ago. Sad

I was going through a phase where I'd choose peeled raw carrots for an evening snack, thinking it was healthy and would give me plenty of chew for my money.

These were big honking carrots and I was enjoying them to high heaven, always slicing through them with my front teeth (like I'd done all my life) and congratulating myself for making a healthy food choice. One night, I bit part-way through a particularly thick carrot and stopped dead when my lower front teeth started to hurt. (Stop, dislodge carrot while making moaning sounds, walk carefully to the bathroom and see what the damage was.) My teeth were still there but ached so much it scared me.

I asked my dentist about it & had x-rays taken. He said I'd probably stretched the tendons that hold the teeth in place. Four months later, they are still sensitive to pressure when I eat, sometimes ache, exhibit a little movement and I don't know if they'll ever improve.

Please be careful -- eat hard, crunchy foods with your side teeth!

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:23 pm

First of all teeth age and change. They are not the same and if your dentist hasn't told you he didn't get the memo.

Just like EVERYTHING ELSE you need to protect them and make changes about care and maintenance as you age. A strong mineralizing tooth paste is part of it. I do not work for any company but can only give you personal information from my viewpoint. I KNOW Arm & Hammer makes a toothpaste called Strengthening - it is a little more costly but they engineered the product and made it special after years of testing - some research came about it unusual ways which made it all the more amazing ...but discovered - and very cool. It strengthens the enamel which is major as we age. I use it once a day and I can use anything and know about anything.

Second recommendations is Colgate Total due to a forceful effect against decay, periodontal pathogens and halitosis (bad breath) ... A great toothpaste. If you have sensitive teeth I recommend a paste prepared for sensitive teeth once a day. It's okay to use a few kinds. Just brush with intent. two minutes at least and cover all surfaces with a good technique. Every dental office will be able to teach you the modified Bass technique. If you can - go for it!

Must floss - once a day will work. Twice a day better.

Listerine - a great choice. ADA approved in America - The ONLY real choice for fighting periodontal (guy killing) bacteria.
A second is Crest pro=health. Only if you can't have alcohol in your rinse.

If you smoke - STOP. If you care --- You WILL have gum damage. Non-negotiable.
You can make a difference in your bad gums if you stop.

Keliu - Molars crack mainly because of existing restorations and more maximum chew - power on the tooth structure. No need for me to get into the dynamics but front teeth also become susciptible and more so as we age. It's true.
Not everyone has or wants bonding or veneers. They are expensive.... and pretty natural teeth are always a better choice if they are what you have. Preserve them.
Protect your teeth - as secretly says. I so agree.

If anyone wants to pm me I would be happy to help. it's my stuff!

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2011 10:28 pm

Hello pinky- I always eat such foods with my side teeth. Especially since over 50. Our body changes - all of it. Teeth included. My knees etc don't deal the same as they did at 40 so why should my teeth. Show me one 65 year old who has the same teeth they had at 35. Not happening easily. Some/many have good (Natural) teeth but most don't.. and they need protected to keep the youthful capacicity.
There's a reason for that.

pinky1 wrote:

Sure wish I'd read this about five months ago. Sad

I was going through a phase where I'd choose peeled raw carrots for an evening snack, thinking it was healthy and would give me plenty of chew for my money.

These were big honking carrots and I was enjoying them to high heaven, always slicing through them with my front teeth (like I'd done all my life) and congratulating myself for making a healthy food choice. One night, I bit part-way through a particularly thick carrot and stopped dead when my lower front teeth started to hurt. (Stop, dislodge carrot while making moaning sounds, walk carefully to the bathroom and see what the damage was.) My teeth were still there but ached so much it scared me.

I asked my dentist about it & had x-rays taken. He said I'd probably stretched the tendons that hold the teeth in place. Four months later, they are still sensitive to pressure when I eat, sometimes ache, exhibit a little movement and I don't know if they'll ever improve.

Please be careful -- eat hard, crunchy foods with your side teeth!

free skin care · Fri Dec 09, 2011 11:58 pm

sister sweets wrote:

Keliu - Molars crack mainly because of existing restorations and more maximum chew - power on the tooth structure. No need for me to get into the dynamics but front teeth also become susciptible and more so as we age. It's true.
Not everyone has or wants bonding or veneers. They are expensive.... and pretty natural teeth are always a better choice if they are what you have. Preserve them.
Protect your teeth - as secretly says. I so agree.

If anyone wants to pm me I would be happy to help. it's my stuff!

According to the study I quoted above, it is the teeth without restoration that are prone to cracking. Whether this is completely correct, I wouldn't know - but it would make sense that aged teeth which had been strengthened by bonding etc may be stronger.

Incidentally, my periodontist is totally against Listerine because of the alcohol content - he told me not to use it. Although I notice that they have now released an alcohol free version. The toothpaste he has me using is Colgate NeutraFluor 5000 Plus. It's a "pharmacist only medicine" and a 56g tube costs $8.00, so it's expensive - it's only available from the chemist.

I would agree that you should always be careful what you bite on - I once chipped a tooth chewing a Minty. However, I believe eating a sandwich with a knife and fork is over-the-top.

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