Teeth also age. Yes, you read that right.
With the passage of time it is normal for the enamel to gradually wear down.
This loss of thickness should not alarm us if we do not feel any discomfort, the most common being increased dental sensitivity.
However, it is worrying when this aging occurs prematurely.
In this article we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions about dental wear: what causes it, how to correct it and whether it is in your power to prevent it.
What is dental wear?
In its initial stages, tooth wear is the loss of thickness of the enamel, the outer layer of our teeth.
It is hard and translucent, and is composed of hydroxyapatite that coats our teeth.
This layer, 2 to 3 millimeters thick, has a primary function with regard to our oral health: it is responsible for protecting our teeth against external stimuli.
For this reason, its damage has repercussions both on the aesthetics of your smile and on the functionality of the affected teeth.
In more severe cases, it can lead to a reduction in tooth structure and, therefore, numerous damages to your oral health.
But what is the origin of tooth wear?
What causes tooth wear?
There are four main reasons for this damage to tooth structure, which can have different causes:
Occlusion problems
Bruxism condition
Eating disorders
Inadequate brushing techniques (erosion).
In the following, we will break down the causes described above one by one.
Dental wear caused by occlusion problems
Malpositions of the dental pieces or of the maxillary bones cause undesired contact between the dental pieces.
Thus, this excessive friction between different dental pieces can cause dental wear problems.
In the field of dentistry this is known as attrition.
It is an alteration of the dental structure caused by contact between teeth.
It can be caused by occlusion problems or by other conditions that we will describe later, such as bruxism, for example.
There are different types of dental wear, depending on the cause: bruxism, acids, dental malocclusions…
Bruxism wears down our teeth
Bruxism is the habit of involuntary teeth grinding.
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Although its origin can be linked to various causes, it is especially common in people who suffer from high levels of stress and is more common during sleeping hours.
In fact, worn teeth due to bruxism is a very common problem in society.
The habit of clenching the teeth unconsciously causes erosion of the teeth, the severity of which depends on the severity of the case.
TOOTH WEARING
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DENTAL WEAR
Dental wear caused by eating disorders
The stability of the enamel is threatened by the presence of acids in the mouth.
Therefore, those who consume excessive carbonated beverages or particularly acidic foods are at greater risk of suffering a loss of tooth enamel thickness.
But, in addition, dental wear is an unmistakable symptom of those patients suffering from digestive system disorders or eating disorders such as bulimia.
This is due to the fact that gastric juices are particularly acidic, so that their recurrence in the oral cavity due to vomiting damages the enamel of the teeth.
It is important to bear in mind that tooth enamel wear is irreversible, since this tissue does not regenerate by itself.
Can brushing cause tooth wear?
If we maintain good oral cleaning routines and use a soft-bristled toothbrush, brushing does not necessarily wear down our teeth.
However, the situation is different when we incorporate into our hygiene routines a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard or if we use excessive force when brushing.
Very aggressive brushing can cause severe gum recession or dental abrasion.
Dental abrasion is an alteration of the tooth structure caused by the mechanical action of a toothbrush that is too hard.
There are also other elements that can be harmful to it, such as the use of the toothpick after each meal to remove food debris.
This causes wear on the neck of the teeth, generating dental sensitivity discomfort.
Finally, the Professional Association of Dental Hygienists of Mexico distinguishes one last cause of dental abrasion related to removable dental prostheses.
These are supported by clasps that are placed on healthy teeth.
The friction of the same with the dental pieces in acts as simple as chewing ends up wearing the enamel of the same.
Dental prostheses wear down teeth.
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REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURES
Signs of dental wear
We can affirm that we are facing a case of dental wear if we observe the following signs:
When the thickness of the enamel is weakened, the color of the dentin is more intense.
For this reason, people suffering from dental wear tend to have yellower teeth.
When the origin of the wear is linked to excessive and undesired friction of the dental pieces, in the initial stages it is common for cracks to appear on the dental surface.
In more severe cases, fractures or loss of tooth structure may occur.
These are unmistakable symptoms that are particularly evident in the most severe cases.
Therefore, dental wear has direct consequences on the esthetics of your smile.
But do you know what impact it has on your oral health?
Act quickly
Do not wait until the wear is very advanced. At the first signs, consult your dentist.
Dental wear and tear is harmful to your mouth
A loss of thickness in the layer of tooth enamel or a decrease in tooth structure directly affects the aesthetics of your smile.
In this regard, people who suffer from tooth wear:
Have a yellower tooth shade and are more prone to enamel staining.
They tend to see a reduction in the length of their teeth. In the most severe cases, they become hidden behind the lips when smiling.
In addition, dental wear also affects the functionality of the teeth.
In more severe cases, the dentin may be exposed, causing discomfort due to tooth sensitivity.
In addition, teeth with heavy wear are more likely to be a source of dental caries and, therefore, their stability may be compromised.
DO YOU HAVE WORN TEETH? ASK FOR AN APPOINTMENT
For these reasons, in the presence of the symptoms described above, it is advisable to see a specialist to assess the case before it becomes more serious.
dental wear due to bruxism
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DENTAL WEAR DUE TO BRUXISM
How is dental wear corrected?
In order to tackle the problems of dental wear, the specialist will try to tackle the cause that provokes it.
In this regard, we can distinguish two possible treatments to solve worn teeth:
Orthodontic treatment.
If the cause is linked to occlusion problems, the patient should undergo orthodontic treatment to correct the various dental malpositions.
In this way, unwanted contacts and, therefore, unwanted friction between different pieces will be avoided.
Unloading splint
If bruxism is the cause of wear and tear, the ideal is to use an unloading splint that avoids the consequences of unintentional clenching of the teeth.
Protect the tooth with caps
In cases of very severe wear, the placement of crowns or veneers may be indicated to restore the esthetics of the smile.
In addition, it is always positive to instruct patients in brushing techniques and to banish possible bad habits that can damage the tooth structure.
The most common are the use of the teeth to open certain objects or the use of toothpicks to remove food debris.
