It always brings to mind images of centenarians, people who have lived a good long life and their teeth kept growing like your nose and ears do. Of course we all know your teeth don’t continue growing, but why do we associate this phrase with the image of the aged?
Years ago this simple expression did come from an older person’s teeth appearing longer in the mouth. This phenomenon had nothing to do with growth, age or experience. Unfortunately it had to do with poor dental hygiene. Before professional dental cleanings became in vogue, dental tartar was growing unchecked or cleaned near and under the gums. Tartar build-up would trigger irritation of the gums – this results in swelling and bleeding which results in gum disease.
Once gum disease starts and is unchecked for a period of time, the gums recede exposing more tooth. Ergo, the image of a longer tooth. Because it would take time for this build up and human life expectancy being drastically shorter than it is today, “long in the tooth” became a phrase that was associated with the aged and wise. Although “aged” may have been closer to forty or even thirty years old. Today we’d imagine an aged person as 90 or 100 years old.
Unfortunately “long in the tooth” doesn’t stop there. As the gums pull away from the tooth, bit by bit there is bone loss. Then perfectly good teeth just fall out. In the past this was just expected. People would simply carry on with life, toothless .
Today there is no reason for a person to be toothless. Between regular dental check ups and proper self-care you can have a healthy mouth and enjoy all your favourite foods in your old age. Esthetically it is not attractive to be toothless and health wise the less teeth means less chewing ability and the greater increase in problems with stomach and intestines.
This is why your dentist wants you back every 6 months or even 3 or 4 months for professional cleanings. It all depends on the tartar build up you have.
