If you have taken good care of your teeth up until now there’s no reason why they can’t continue to serve you well throughout middle age and longer. Our teeth are meant to last a lifetime and even though the average life span has increased significantly so has the dental technology available to us today. Your body undergoes many natural changes over time. Your teeth are no exception to that rule, so if you want to keep them you will need to continue to take good care of them. As the teeth age the nerves become less sensitive so that tooth decay may go unnoticed for a longer period of time. If you don’t keep up with regularly scheduled dental appointments a cavity may not be discovered soon enough to be treated easily meaning that a more invasive and time consuming procedure could be necessary. Tooth decay though more prevalent in children is not exclusive to them. Adults get cavities too! Bottled water is a favorite convenience for today’s adult population but very few brands are able to claim the benefit of fluoride content. We still need to drink the tap water from a fluoridated source. Brushing and flossing have always been part of a home regimen for good oral health. Some dentists may recommend using an electric toothbrush to make brushing easier for those of us who have lost some physical dexterity in our hands. Stick with a fluoride toothpaste and brush twice a day for two minutes at a time. Dr. Sigmon of Compass Dental in Hickory, N.C. offers services for every member of your family. Call 828-322-6226 for your appointment.