Why Are My Teeth Wearing Down?
When the teeth begin to wear down, there is slow and continual loss of the tooth’s structure which occurs over time. This differs from damage caused by decay, injuries, or accidents. The natural aging process can result in some expected wear and tear. This is considered normal and is not cause for concern. There is additional wear, however, which can occur beyond the natural aging process. When the teeth become worn down, it can impact the teeth’s function and appearance. Damage may result in pain if the nerve becomes exposed. There are three main causes of tooth wear which includes abrasion, attrition, and erosion.
Abrasion takes place when the tooth’s surface wears away from friction. Patients who experience this often use a hard toothbrush or use too much force when brushing their teeth. This will ultimately damage the teeth. In most cases, abrasion is most apparent on the outer surfaces of the back teeth. It can cause a wedge or V-shaped indentation at the gum margin of the tooth.
Attrition is tooth wear from other teeth. The damage is commonly caused by grinding the teeth or chronic clenching of the jaw. Attrition is the mechanical wearing down of the teeth’s biting and chewing surfaces. Patients who grind their teeth create ongoing contact which damages the tooth’s surface. Bruxism or grinding can cause the teeth in the back of the mouth to become flat. In addition, grinding can result in the front teeth becoming shorter. Severe attrition can cause the front teeth to become so short and make the face look disfigured. Attrition may also result in increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets.
Bruxism or teeth grinding commonly takes place while the patient is sleeping. It is typically caused by anxiety, stress, and an abnormal positioning of the jaws and teeth or malocclusion. Patients who suffer from grinding their teeth typically benefit from the use of a night guard. The guard helps protect the teeth and jaw from the constant and extreme grinding forces.
Erosion can take place when the tooth’s surface is damaged from an acid which can dissolve the enamel and dentin. Erosion causes the teeth to become worn down. Fortunately, it can typically be prevented. The two sources of mouth acid are gastric and dietary. Highly acidic foods can cause the enamel and dentin to erode. The acid damages the teeth because the tooth’s calcium is dissolved. Drinks which are highly acidic include soft drinks, sparkling water, and citrus drinks.
The stomach acid used in the digestive process is so powerful it can dissolve food. It can also cause damage to the bones or teeth. When the contents of the stomach are regurgitated through frequent vomiting or gastric reflux, it allows these stomach acids to make contact with the teeth. Over time, this will cause damage to the teeth.
Repair
When the enamel is damaged or worn down, it easily allows for the dentin to quickly wear away. Dentin is much softer than the enamel and can be easily damaged. Enamel loss can result in increased sensitivity. The dentist can desensitize a small, isolated spot of erosion.
When the erosion is more severe and there are larger amounts of exposed dentin, the dentist will often use bonding or a crown to help restore the tooth and prevent further damage. The dentist may need to complete a crown lengthening procedure as well. When a tooth starts to wear away, it will erupts and pulls the gums and bone along with it. If this is not properly treated, there not enough healthy tooth structure available and the appearance can be compromised.
If you are experiencing worn down teeth, follow up with your dentist to determine the cause. Once the cause is determined, the dentist can create a treatment plan to resolve the issue.