Stop Teeth from Wearing Down
You have noticed that your teeth are wearing down. They might look shorter, or you may have noticed that the edges of your teeth, now worn down, look darker and discolored. Why is this happening?
Common Causes of Teeth Wearing Down
There are four types of tooth erosion:
- Friction- This erosion will happen when you bite your teeth together or add constant grinding of your teeth, either during the day or while you sleep.
- Wear and tear- This can be caused by abuse such as opening things with your teeth or by aggressive brushing and cleaning.
- Tooth stress- Stresses on the teeth can cause them to flex slightly and can lead to the weakening of the areas which are prone to erosion.
- Chemical attack- This can either come from outside such as acids in your diet or medications, or inside your body, such as acid reflux.
Tooth Erosion from Friction or Teeth Grinding
The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. Bruxism can happen from stress or from malocclusion. If your teeth do not meet properly, the muscles in your jaw will overcompensate. This will wear down points of your teeth which are in the way. A dentist can evaluate the way your teeth meet, the occlusion, and adjust your teeth so they do not wear down in unsightly or unnecessary places.
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
The concept behind the stopping of teeth grinding is to get your jaw muscles to relax. You can place the tip of your tongue between your teeth during the day if your find yourself grinding.
It is more difficult to control grinding at night because you are sleeping. Your dentist can make a translucent plastic night guard which will fit over either arch so your teeth cannot meet, eliminating the grinding. Wearing a well-adjusted splint each night will help ensure you wake up without headaches and without having ground your teeth all night.
Teeth Wearing Down from Wear and Tear
If you use your teeth for anything other than eating, then you can damage them. Your teeth are designed to bite, chew, and eat. They are not designed to open bottles or bite through plastic packages. Avoid this bad habit and find the appropriate tool.
Tooth erosion can be caused by poor oral hygiene habits. Aggressive brushing can cause teeth to wear, which usually happens on the cheek side close to the gum where the enamel is thinner. As the enamel wears away it exposes the underlying dentine. Once this is exposed the rate of erosion increases dramatically. This type of erosion also leads to discoloration of your teeth. To correct this brushing simply use a softer bristle toothbrush.
Teeth Wearing Down from Acid Erosion
- External acid erosion- This is when the acid comes from an external source. This is usually from eating a highly acidic diet, such as citrus fruit, fizzy drinks, and sweets. It is healthy to eat citrus fruits, but in moderation. If you drink fruit juice or fizzy drinks, then use a straw to help keep the acids away from your teeth.
- Internal acid erosion- Acid erosion from within your body is usually evident by teeth wearing down on the tongue side of your teeth. Acid reflux from your stomach will wear away the enamel of the tooth. Find a method to control your acid reflux to stop this erosion.
Regular visits to your dentist will give them the opportunity to identify the early warning signs of teeth wearing down and provide the appropriate solution.