When You Turn 50, This Is What Happens To Your Teeth

When you're younger, it's easy to get away with little things, like skipping a warm-up before a workout or having that extra drink at happy hour. But as you get older, those habits tend to catch up with you. No, your life doesn't take a downward spiral once you hit 50, but health issues do become more of a concern with age.

Take your teeth and overall dental health. Maybe you've always gotten a clean bill of health at the dentist, but as your body experiences more wear and tear, your mouth's defenses can weaken, too. For example, as you get older, your body may produce less saliva, a problem that can be compounded by dry mouth from certain medications or health conditions such as diabetes, according to MedlinePlus . Saliva plays a key role in protecting your teeth from damaging acids.