Praveen and Pooja were due for their yearly dental check-up, they had relatively good dental health, but recently Praveen noticed that there was an uneven rough feeling on his front teeth and a generalised sensitivity especially after his gym sessions, Pooja who was known to brush her teeth 3 times a day noticed multiple spaces like cavities at the junction of her tooth and gums, She wondered why it was happening despite her excellent oral hygiene.
During their checkup, they were told they have a case of 'dental wear.' Praveen was told he had a case of attrition due to his clenching and was given a customised bite/sports guard. While Pooja had multiple abrasions on her teeth due to her brushing habits. She had multiple fillings and was educated on better brushing techniques.
Today, we will be diving into one of the most common reasons why you should be visiting your dentist: Tooth wear.
What is tooth wear?
It is the gradual loss of tooth structure through processes other than decay or trauma. It typically starts in the enamel and, if it progresses, can expose the second layer of dentine underneath. Dentine is softer and more sensitive, which is why tooth wear can lead to discomfort, chipping, and changes in how your teeth look.
Tooth wear is usually multifactorial in aetiology.
Main causes of tooth wear
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Tooth wear usually happens through three main mechanisms, often acting together:
1. Attrition (Tooth-to-Tooth Contact): This is the wear caused by teeth grinding or clenching together. It often happens while sleeping (bruxism) or due to stress. It makes biting surfaces flat.
2. Erosion (Acid Damage): This is the chemical dissolving of enamel by acids. It is not caused by bacteria (cavities), but by external things like sodas, sports drinks, citrus fruits, or internal things like stomach acid from reflux (GERD) or vomiting.
3. Abrasion (Mechanical Scraping): This is wear from foreign objects rubbing against teeth. The most common cause is brushing too hard with a hard-bristle toothbrush or using abrasive toothpaste. It can also come from biting nails or using teeth to open things.
What are the symptoms?
* Sensitivity: Teeth become sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks.
* Yellowing: Teeth appear yellower because the thin, white enamel is worn away, showing the darker "dentin" underneath.
* Flattened/Shorter teeth: Back teeth look flat, and front teeth may look shorter or have jagged edges.
* Notches: V-shaped notches or grooves may appear near the gum line.
* Transparency: The edges of front teeth may look see-through.
Prevention: How to stop it
Once tooth enamel is lost, it cannot be replaced naturally. However, you can stop it from getting worse:
* Use a soft toothbrush: And don't scrub horizontally with heavy force.
* Watch your diet: Limit acidic drinks like soda, sports drinks, and fruit juices.
* Rinse after acid: If you consume acidic food/drinks, rinse with water afterwards, and wait at least 30–60 minutes before brushing.
* Get a nightguard: If you grind your teeth at night, ask your dentist for a protective mouthguard.
* Stop using teeth as tools: Don't open bottles or packages with your teeth.
Your enamel is precious; don’t let your habits wear it down.
