Treating Worn Down Teeth
It is totally natural for your teeth to show some wear and tear over the years. It is just another sign of ageing. Excessive worn-down teeth can have a negative impact on your self-confidence and self-esteem as they become smaller, darker in color, and altering your bite. Natural attrition, erosion, and abrasion all contribute to worn down teeth.
Worn down teeth are most common in the older population. Average teeth wear is a side effect of ageing, but the wear can be accelerated with factors such as teeth grinding, aggressive brushing, and consuming acidic food and drinks.
Symptoms of Worn-Down Teeth
There are a variety of signs of worn-down teeth including:
- The loss of the protective enamel.
- Changes in the cosmetic appearance.
- An increase in tooth sensitivity.
- Some chipping.
- A change in translucence.
Your worn-down teeth can be treated once the specific cause is identified by your dentist.
Causes of Worn-Down Teeth
There are usually four kinds of common tooth erosion:
- Friction- This happens from excessive clenching or grinding of your teeth, during the day or more often at night during your sleep.
Chemical attack- This can come from outside of your body, with excessive acids in your diet or medications, or from inside your body, from vomiting or acid reflux. - Wear and tear- This can be the result of a bad habit, abusing your teeth to open bottles or plastic bags or by aggressive tooth brushing.
- Tooth stress- Additional stresses on your teeth will cause them to flex slightly and will lead to more erosion.
Solutions to Repair Worn Down Teeth
Treating your worn-down teeth may be relatively simple. Identifying the cause is the first step to repair the erosion. Dietary advice might be recommended by your dentist, or they might suggest a mouth guard to protect your teeth from nighttime grinding.
After the primary cause has been diagnosed and the erosion abated then the restoration can be chosen to repair the worn-down teeth.
Several different dental treatments are available to treat worn down teeth, including:
- Dental bonding- This simple treatment involves using a putty-like, tooth-colored, composite material to cover and hide any imperfections. The resin is applied, shaped, and sculpted to the teeth to cover chips, cracks, worn down edges, or discolorations.
- Veneers- Ceramic or porcelain veneers restore the aesthetic look, functionality, and natural feel of your teeth. This treatment involves placing a wafer-thin piece of porcelain on the front surface of the tooth and is used to restore your front teeth visible in your smile.
- Dental crowns- A common treatment for worn down teeth. The procedure will take a few appointments and entails placing a cap over a worn down or damaged tooth to protect it.
In addition, your dentist might suggest creating a customized mouth guard to restrict teeth grinding or an appliance which will improve the alignment of your bite.
Complications of Leaving Worn Down Teeth Untreated
If your worn-down teeth are not addressed, it might lead to further deterioration as well as an assortment of other long-term issues including:
- Your teeth and gums will be more susceptible to infections.
- An acceleration in tooth sensitivity from enamel reduction exposing the softer dentine.
- The development of issues with dental fillings.
- An increase in problems with all tooth restorations.