How and Why Teeth Wear
When Your Teeth Wears Down
Do you know that the enamel of the tooth is the hardest tissue in the body? It serves as protection for the soft inner tooth. However, our enamel also wear down over time which may lead to problems. Since enamel is not living tissue, it won’t regrow again. This is the reason why it is important to protect that tooth from wearing down.
Teeth wear happens when teeth lose their surface or enamel to reasons other than decay. This problem occurs as a person ages and results in sensitivity when the dentin of the teeth is exposed.
Causes of Tooth Wear
Wearing out of the teeth happens when the teeth enamel erodes due to chemicals and acids. More individuals now have worn teeth than in the past. The food and drinks we consume is harming enamel. Clenching and grinding your teeth also causes enamel to wear down; if you frequently do this, it is advisable to talk to a counselor or psychiatrist because the habit is linked to stress and other mental or psychological problem.
Enamel Erosion
Wearing down of teeth causes enamel erosion. It is defined as the progressive loss of tooth without the involvement of bacteria. Two kinds of erosion occurs depending on the source:
- Intrinsic- acids from the body, particularly the digestive system, that rise to the mouth causing erosion to the teeth enamel.
- Extrinsic- this is caused by the food and drinks that are high in acid that causes the mouth to maintain an acidic state over a period of time.
For those who show signs of teeth wear, it is important to change your diet and make sure that you eat food with less acid. Changing your lifestyle and avoiding bad habits, such as smoking, can prevent your teeth from wearing down and your teeth enamel from eroding. When you notice signs of wearing on the enamels of your teeth, it is important to consult your dentist to solve the problem associated with it and prevent further erosion of the enamel. We can help you find ways to prevent your teeth from further eroding. All you have to do is set an appointment with us or visit our office for a checkup. We would want to see what has happened and would be glad to find ways to prevent this from happening further.
Watch for These Signs
Here are a few things that may indicate that your teeth are wearing down. If you see these signs, you should solve the problem quickly.
- Discoloration of the enamel
- Teeth are sensitive to hot or cold food or drinks, to air or even to touch
- The front side of the teeth looks transparent
When you see these signs in your teeth, it is important to immediately talk to a dentist about it. Visit our dental office by setting up an appointment with us.
Let us know about your concern and we’ll see to it that you get the right diagnosis on your teeth, because there is a difference between wearing down of teeth and tooth decay. Wearing down of teeth takes a different approach to solve the problem.
Things to Discuss With the Dentist
When you meet with your dentist, explain what you are feeling. Remember, the dentist is a friend you can trust when it comes to your dental problem. She can help you solve the problem just like a good friend.
Here are some tips to remember while speaking to your dentist about your dental problem:
- When did you notice that your teeth are wearing down or when did you first see the sign of teeth erosion.
- How much acid do you take? Are there any medications you drink or are you suffering from a certain illness?
- Identify to her the tooth or teeth wearing down
The dentist will give you advice on the treatments that you may undergo. She may advise you to check with a nutritionist about your diet or have a checkup with the physician to see if you have other illness that may cause a rise in acidity in your digestive tract.
We Can Find a Way
We have ways to treat your worn out tooth. Our experts can explain to you how we can preserve your teeth depending on the cause and the severity of damage. Let our team help you decide what’s best for your teeth and give you the right advice and treatment. We have several years of experience in teeth restoration. Come for a checkup today to find out more about teeth wear and its treatments.
