What Causes Wear on Your Teeth?

Your teeth are tough. In fact, with proper care they can last a lifetime. Unfortunately, there are many things that can wear down your teeth. Today, we’re going to address three of the more common issues that culprits. On an important note, the wear we will be discussing does not include tooth decay or injuries caused by trauma.

Wear is often caused by teeth grinding or clenching. In fact, this can cause small cracks in your enamel, making your smile more prone to tooth decay. Grinding can also lead to headaches, damage to your jaw, and other pains. Typically, this problem is worse in people who grind hard or who grind often. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do if you suffer from these problems. One option is finding a way to relieve stress or to avoid stressful situations. However, if these don’t work, your dentist can give you’re a mouth guard or a splint, which can stop grinding and clenching.

A second reason for wear is acid, which erodes enamel. As strong as your teeth may be, acid will erode your enamel and consequently weaken them. This problem is especially common in individuals who enjoy many carbonated drink, fruit juices, or alcohol. Sadly, there are other causes for acid that can’t be treated quite as easily. For example, women who are pregnant—especially those who suffer from morning sickness or frequent vomiting—may be exposed to more acid on their teeth than usual. Similarly, there are medical conditions that bring the acids in the stomach to the mouth. In order to respond to either of these complications, we recommend visiting your dentist. They will give you more specified advice.

Finally, you may wear down your tooth through abrasion. This is typically caused by brushing your teeth incorrectly. If you brush too hard, you may damage your enamel. When you brush, please use gentle, circular motions. If you are concerned about this type of wear, we recommend using a toothbrush with soft or medium bristles or finding non-abrasive toothpaste.

If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you soon.