Stop Teeth from Wearing Down
You have recently noticed that your teeth seem to be wearing down. They look shorter, or you noticed that the edges of your teeth look darker and discolored. What is causing this to happen.
Common Causes of Teeth Wearing Down
There are four basic types of tooth erosion:
- Wear and tear- This can be the result of abuse, such as aggressive tooth brushing or using your teeth as tools to open things.
- Friction- This erosion is natural from the pressures when you bite your teeth together, or if you add constant grinding and clenching of your teeth.
- Tooth stress- Stresses on your teeth can cause them at times to flex slightly and will lead to the weakening of the specific areas which are prone to erosion.
- Chemical attack- This can either come from inside of your body, such as vomiting or acid reflux, or outside such as acids in your diet or medications.
Tooth Erosion from Friction or Teeth Grinding
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and clenching. Bruxism can be the result of stress or a malocclusion, or bite alignment. If your teeth do not align correctly, the muscles in your jaw will be forced to overcompensate. This will wear down points of contact which are in the way. Your dentist will evaluate the way your teeth meet, the occlusion, and correct your teeth so they will not wear down in unsightly places.
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
The goal behind the stopping of teeth grinding is with your jaw muscles relaxing. You start by placing the tip of your tongue between your teeth to stop grinding during the day.
It is hard to control grinding at night because you are sleeping. Your dentist will make a custom plastic night guard which will fit on either arch so your teeth will not meet, stopping the grinding. Wearing a splint each night will also help ensure you wake up with no headaches and without having ground your teeth.
Teeth Wearing Down from Wear and Tear
If you use your teeth as tools, you can damage them. Your teeth are to be used to bite, chew, and eat. They are not designed to open bottles or to bite through hard objects. Find the proper tool and avoid this bad habit.
Tooth erosion can also be caused by your poor oral hygiene habits. Aggressive brushing will cause your teeth to wear, which happens on the cheek side where the enamel is thinner. As the enamel wears it exposes the second layer, the dentine. After this is exposed, the erosion increases substantially. This kind of erosion will lead to the discoloration of your teeth. To correct aggressive brushing just use a softer bristle toothbrush.
If a tooth is worn down enough, a dental crown may need to be placed.
Teeth Wearing Down from Acid Erosion
- Internal acid erosion- Acid erosion from coming within your body is evident by your teeth wearing down on the inside, or tongue side of your teeth. Acid reflux from your stomach will wear away your teeth. Find a solution to monitor and control your acid reflux to stop this erosion.
- External acid erosion- This is when the acid comes from an external source. This is from an acidic diet, such as sweets, citrus fruit, and fizzy drinks.
Eat healthy citrus fruits in moderation. If you enjoy fruit juice or fizzy drinks, use a straw to keep the acids away from your teeth.
Regular preventative visits to your dentist will give them the opportunity to identify any early warning signs and to provide the correct solution to stop your teeth from wearing down.