Tooth decay is caused by eating highly refined foods and sweets and by poor dental care. By the time a man nears forty the protective enamel covering of the surface of each tooth will have worn thinner and the layer of dentin beneath become translucent. The teeth will require more care and more careful cleaning.
Gum infection, again due to diet and poor care, may become a problem too, attacking the roots of the teeth or causing gums to shrink and recede. For many men receding gums become a major problem at forty. The average man of this age will have five teeth missing.
It is fortunate for us that dentists can repair much of the damage and improve the appearance of teeth using mixtures of capping, bonding and bridging and with special gum treatments or surgery. With regular dental inspections and correct daily oral hygiene further deterioration can be prevented.
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