Maybe you're getting older, but that doesn't mean your mouth has to be long in the tooth

“Isn’t he getting a little long in the tooth to be moving furniture up three flights of stairs?”

The funny expression “long in the tooth” implies someone is past their prime — and alludes to a horse’s gums that recede with age, making the teeth appear longer.

What’s not funny: A person’s gums can also recede. But it’s not because of age. More than likely, it’s due to gum disease.

Teeth don’t fall out due to age. They fall out due to disease. That’s why the importance of seeing your dentist never eases up. Dental care remains a vital component of your health care for as long as you live.

Here’s why:

• Your general health and oral health are connected.

  You rely on your doctor to help you maintain your general health, and probably don’t have plans to discontinue those checkups. The same needs to be true for your dental checkups.

  The connection between good oral health and good general health is very strong – you can’t have one without the other, especially if you have a chronic disease.

• The risk of chronic illness increases with age.

  Speaking of chronic diseases, we become more susceptible to certain ones as we age. Those that can affect the mouth are cavities, gum disease and cancer.

• The dental work you’ve had done through the years may need to be replaced.

  Depending on the type of material used, fillings last about 10 years, and crowns 10-15 years — although some fillings and crowns last for decades.

What you can do:

• See your dentist regularly — it’s your best defense against age-related dental problems.

  The management of any disease is easier when you catch it early — and the cost is usually lower. Your dentist can spot cavities, gum disease and oral cancer in their earliest stages.

• X-rays can reveal decay under a filling or anywhere nearby. Don’t wait until pain or sensitivity becomes the sign that a filling needs to be replaced. The same goes for a crown. A dentist’s exam and X-rays can find evidence of decay under the crown before you can feel its effects.

• As you age, the nerves inside your teeth become smaller and less sensitive. By the time you feel pain from a cavity, the cavity may have progressed quite a bit.

• Gums that bleed easily, or that are red, swollen or tender are signs of gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease — and the only stage that’s reversible. When caught early, gingivitis can usually be eliminated by a professional cleaning at your dentist’s office, followed by daily brushing and flossing. (Advanced gum disease is called periodontitis and can lead to the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth.)

• During your regular exams and cleanings, your dentist will look for signs that might indicate cancer. Warning signs can include sores, and red or white patches.

• You’ve heard this before, but brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste — and flossing daily — can reduce your risk of cavities and gum recession.

  One of the main causes of gum recession is inadequate oral hygiene. If teeth aren’t properly cleaned, tartar can build up under the gums, which causes inflammation (gingivitis) and gum disease (periodontitis).

• Because a dry mouth can cause cavities, keep your mouth moist.

  Drink more water. Hold it in your mouth for a few seconds before you swallow. Sugarless gum and candy can also help. Some medications can dry your mouth. Ask your doctor for advice if you suspect that’s the cause of your dry mouth.

  It’s especially important to brush your teeth before you go to bed at night. While you sleep, saliva is minimal, so it can’t clear away bacteria and plaque that may be in your mouth and on the surface of your gums and teeth.

The good news?

Regular dental care and your excellent oral hygiene can manage these issues and more. At your next checkup, talk with your dentist about how your oral health is holding up. The topic is as important as it’s ever been.