Within our bodies lies the miraculous power of renewal: even if you’ve been around for 40 years or more, most of the cells in your body are no more than 10 years old. But as we age, the body’s ability to replace and refresh our tissues declines, affecting almost every part of us – and the mouth is no exception. When you factor in the daily stresses our mouths withstand, it’s clear that in middle age and beyond, they require extra care to remain healthy, gleaming and disease-free.

Wear and tear
“Our teeth are protected by enamel, which is a hard, protective coating, but damage over time can cause it to gradually wear away,” says Amanda Sheehan, clinical and educational support specialist at TePe, a brand that specialises in products that help keep mouths healthy. “When this happens, the dentine underneath is exposed. Dentine has a naturally yellow colour so you may also appear to lose whiteness, and your teeth may be less stain-resistant, so coffee, tea, and other high-coloured food and drinks are more problematic.” But that’s not all. “With age, you may also start to notice some gum recession, exposing the base of the tooth,” says Sheehan. “This makes it easier for plaque bacteria to build up, causing bleeding, swelling and potential soreness of the gums, which is known as gum disease.”

How to youth-boost your smile: watch your consumption of fizzy drinks and fruit juices, as these contain acid that can wear away enamel. Brushing your teeth cleans only up to 60% of the tooth’s surfaces, so it’s important to floss with interdental brushes to clear the damaging, hard-to-reach bacteria from the interdental spaces in order to keep your gums healthy.

Changing hormones
The perimenopause and menopause can cause a whole heap of major changes in your body, but did you know the shift in hormones could also raise your risk of dental problems and gum disease? This is because declining oestrogen levels can decrease the amount of saliva in your mouth. “This matters because saliva has protective qualities,” says Sheehan. “It cleanses the teeth and rinses away cavity-causing bacteria, with buffering capacity to help neutralise the acid levels in your mouth, so having less saliva will lead to a dry mouth, which increases your risk of decay.” On top of this, lower oestrogen puts you at a higher risk of bone loss, and losing bone in the jaw can lead to possible gum recession, which could leave your teeth exposed and at increased risk of decay.

How to youth-boost your smile: drinking plenty of water is a sure way to alleviate a dry mouth in the short term, while chewing sugar-free gum encourages your mouth to make more saliva. And make sure you brush your teeth before you go to bed. “Be particularly diligent about cleaning before bed, as saliva levels naturally drop at night,” says Sheehan. And to help keep your bones strong, ensure you’re getting adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective in preventing bone loss associated with the menopause, so talk to your specialist nurse or GP about whether it might be beneficial for you.

READ RELATED: I’m stuck in a miserable and futile existence | Ask Philippa

Stress levels
The demands of mid-life – such as supporting older children and helping ageing parents – can bestressful. And stress could lead to potential teeth grinding, known as bruxism, which can occur while you’re awake or asleep. “This can cause multiple problems including wearing down tooth edges, a loss of enamel and cause sensitivity,” says Sheehan.

How to youth-boost your smile: if you think you’re grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist, who may recommend that you wear a custom mouthguard at night. However, this won’t make the grinding stop, so you need to tackle the causes of stress and anxiety. This is often easier said than done, but stress management techniques such as regular exercise, breathing exercises and meditation may be beneficial.

Acid reflux
The upward movement (acid reflux or regurgitation) of stomach acid towards the throat and mouth is a common, but very much unwanted, digestive disorder. It can become troublesome with age for various reasons, which may include increased weight, dietary choices and higher stress levels. When stomach acid creeps its way into the mouth, it potentially bathes the teeth in acids, leading to loss of the fluoride-rich enamel layer and can lead to increased risk of tooth decay.

How to youth-boost your smile: acid reflux can be treated with medication, but it’s smart to take dental precautions, too. Your dental professional may recommend using a specialised toothpaste to help protect and strengthen enamel. Identifying triggers can help too, whether it’s caused by acidic foods such as fruit juices or spicy dishes, or alcohol. “You may be tempted to reach for the toothbrush more often, but don’t brush your teeth after you’ve had acid reflux or within 30 minutes of eating or you’ll risk damaging the enamel that’s already been weakened by the acid,” says Sheehan. Rinsing with water, or a fluoride-based mouth rinse, will help protect the teeth further.

For more information, visit tepe.com/uk/sustainable-idb