Do Teeth Chip With Age?
A smile helps us live a long, healthy, and happy life. But, just like our bodies, our teeth succumb to age-related changes. So, what happens to our teeth as we age? Are chipped teeth more common?
The crown of the tooth is covered by a hard layer of enamel that surrounds the softer, brown dentin, protecting the centrally located pulp. Enamel is a complex web of fragile strands arranged in a honeycomb pattern that interacts with light to make teeth appear opalescent (a pearly, milky iridescence). Dentin beneath the enamel forms the majority of the tooth's crown and root and is made of collagen, minerals, water, and proteins. Collagen strands are woven to stretch and spring back, preventing teeth from cracking and breaking when we grind and chew. The pulp has blood vessels and nerves that communicate with the rest of the body.
Entangled in the dentin mineral and collagen are tiny interconnected tubules formed by specialized cells called odontoblasts that nestle around the pulp when our teeth are fully formed. Each tooth contains a finite number of odontoblasts, as opposed to the constantly replenished special bone cells that renew themselves.
First, what are teeth made of?
Unable to renew itself, our teeth become brittle and prone to chipping as the dentin loses its elasticity. This is more common in teeth with existing cracks, large fillings, or root canal treatments. Over time, the outer surface of the enamel thins to reveal the relatively opaque dentin, which darkens as we age. Dentin darkens because the collagen tissue stiffens and shrinks, and fluid in the tubules fills with mineral.
There are several reasons why our teeth are more susceptible to chipping as we age.
How do our teeth change as we age?
Tooth enamel â the hard outer layer of your teeth â naturally erodes with age. Decades of chewing, grinding, brushing, and exposure to acidic foods gradually thin the enamel, making teeth more brittle and vulnerable to chipping.
As enamel wears away, the softer layer underneath (called dentin) can become exposed. Dentin is less durable than enamel, so once itâs exposed, teeth are more prone to small chips, especially near the edges.
Teeth chip more easily with age
Years of use can cause tiny cracks or fractures, especially if you grind your teeth at night (a condition called bruxism). These micro-fractures can eventually lead to chipping, even from normal activities like eating.
Saliva plays a protective role in keeping teeth strong. But dry mouth becomes more common with age â often due to medications or reduced thirst â which can increase the risk of enamel erosion and chipping.
Enamel wears down over time
When gums pull back with age, the roots of the teeth can become exposed. These areas donât have enamel and are much more prone to damage or chipping.
