Stop Teeth from Wearing Down
If your teeth appear shorter than you’re accustomed to, or if their edges look especially translucent, darkened, or discolored, they may be wearing down. It’s normal for people’s teeth to wear slightly as they withstand the daily pressures of biting and chewing, but in some cases, the teeth wear down more than normal. In these cases, the visible effects could be jarringly noticeable, and the condition could even lead to structural issues with the bite, tooth sensitivity, or even outright pain. There are treatment options for people with worn down teeth, but one of the ultimate goals of any treatment for worn teeth is to preserve the structure of the teeth and stop them from wearing down more, or even from wearing down in the first place. To learn the best way to stop the teeth from wearing down, you’ll first need to learn why your teeth are wearing in the first place.
In addition to normal wear and tear, there are other forces and substances that can compromise the integrity of the structure of the teeth and cause them to wear down. The most common reason for excessive tooth wear is a condition called bruxism, which is characterized by the excessive and habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth. Bruxism most frequently occurs during sleep and is often exacerbated by stress. Abnormal wear and tear, like using the teeth to open packages or bottles, or brushing excessively and aggressively or with a toothbrush with hard bristles, can also cause excessive wear on the teeth. In addition to these mechanical forces that can affect the integrity of the tooth structure, altering the size and shape of the teeth, chemical forces can cause excessive wear on the teeth. In some cases, these chemicals come from acids in the diet, primarily soda and some citrus and citrus-flavored candy, or from certain medications. In other cases, the acids come directly from the gastrointestinal system, as is the case with certain conditions that present with frequent regurgitation, like bulimia, or with chronic acid reflux, like GERD.
When the teeth erode because of bruxism, treatment will require a diagnosis of the reason for bruxism and the appropriate treatment. This could include orthodontic procedures, stress-management programs, mouthguards, and thermoplastic splints, all of which can help reduce or even eliminate habits like bruxism. When teeth wear down because of abnormal wear and tear, dental and medical counseling can address concerns and dental treatments (like dental bonding) can repair the effects. When teeth wear down because of problematic oral hygiene practices, the teeth may become overly sensitive as the dentin beneath the tooth enamel is exposed, and, once the dentin is exposed, the tooth will wear down more rapidly; in these cases, prompt treatment can prevent additional complications. When the teeth are eroded by acid, the source of the acid will first be identified. It’s not uncommon for dentists to be the first medical practitioners to diagnose eating disorders like bulimia, which is often characterized by frequent vomiting and the resulting tooth erosion this causes, and successful, effective treatment of these conditions is the best way to stop the teeth from continued erosion. The most common source of erosive acid, however, is soda. People who drink soda with any regularity can expect the enamel on their teeth to degrade more rapidly, and such habits should be addressed and curtailed for this reason, along with the many other health problems that often arise because of an unhealthy, highly processed diet.