Looking forward to celebrating your 40th birthday? During our 40’s we start to experience some changes in our bodies but the good news is, if you have been taking care of your teeth (brushing, flossing, etc.) your dental health should continue to be terrific.

There are a few things to keep an eye on when when you hit your 40’s:

Replacing old fillings –  Many of those old mercury amalgam fillings are probably beginning to break down and should be replaced. Old fillings form cracks or become loose which can allow bacteria underneath creating more decay. Without removing the decay and replacing the filling you can risk a future root canal or even loss of the tooth. Old bridges and crowns may also need to be replaced.

Periodontal disease – Healthy gums are important. Gum disease has been  linked to heart disease, diabetes and even preterm birth A recent study in the Journal of Periodontology reported that over 23% of women aged 30-54 have gum disease. If your gums are red, sore or if they bleed when you brush or floss you need to see your dentist. The health of your smile and your long term overall health depends upon healing this chronic infection.

Cosmetics – Decades of coffee, red wine and sodas have probably robbed you of the shiny bright smile you remember from your 20’s. The easiest solution is one hour whitening with ZOOM! If you’ve never been happy with your smile you are not alone. Many patients in their 40’s decide that they aren’t happy with the smile they were born with and would like to change their crooked, misshapen teeth. Cosmetic dentistry techniques allow us to change the shape and color of your teeth, even change the contours of your gum line, giving you the smile you’ve always dreamed of.

StoneRidge Dental Care serves the Columbus, OH area.  Please contact us at 614-476-6696 today to schedule your appointment.