Dental Erosion

Dental erosion may be caused by excessive dental bleaching or unsafe teeth whitening without dentist supervision.

Other contributing factors include the consumption of excessively acidic and sugary foods such as citrus fruits and fizzy drinks.

​Health conditions may also cause dental erosion, such as acid reflux disorder, alcoholism, bulimia and anorexia nervosa. The enamel outer tooth surface is eroded by acid that exposes the nerve-containing dentin layer, making teeth feel highly sensitive to hot and cold temperatures of food and air.

​Treating Dental Erosion

Dentists strive to treat dental erosion preventively and through dental restoration. Assessing a patient’s health holistically enables dentists to identify medical conditions that are contributing to dental erosion. Providing patient referrals and having these medical conditions treated may reduce dental erosion.

​Dietary advice may also help patients consume a more balanced diet by reducing acidic and sugary food intake and lowering the risk of dental erosion. Dentists may recommend chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva flow and neutralise acid content.

​To restore teeth damaged by dental erosion, patients are provided tooth restoration treatment options, including composite fillings, dental crowns, inlays and onlays. Where dental erosion produces tooth cavities with dental pulp infection, root canal treatment may be necessary to remove infection from the root canal and prevent the spread of infection.

​Dental Abrasion

Tooth abrasion results from improper teeth brushing technique, when the hard toothbrush bristles excessively wear down the outer tooth surface layer. Dentists provide patients with guidance on proper teeth-brushing techniques to prevent dental abrasion.

​Dental abrasion causes oral trauma, not just to the teeth but also to gum tissue. The gums surrounding the teeth may recede, exposing the inner dentin layer of teeth and tooth root surfaces. Leaving dental abrasion untreated increases tooth sensitivity and poses an increased risk of developing oral disease.

​Treating Dental Abrasion

Prevention is better than cure, and following recommended teeth-brushing techniques helps reduce dental abrasion. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush rather than a hard-bristled one or using an electric toothbrush lowers the risk of dental abrasion and resulting oral trauma.

​Where gums have receded, the dental composite may be used to fill the area if dentin is exposed. Dental composite fillings restore tooth structure, reduce tooth sensitivity and prevent tooth decay.

​Dental Attrition

Bruxism is the dentistry term that describes teeth grinding that causes tooth attrition. Tooth attrition results from teeth grinding, flattening the dental cusp surface and eventually exposing the inner dentin layer. This makes the teeth more sensitive or painful than usual.

​People suffering from bruxism may grind their teeth when awake, out of habit, or during sleep. Untreated tooth attrition may lead to further dental trauma, improper bite and oral infection, which is why it is important to treat bruxism conditions.

​Treating Dental Attrition

Typical treatments for bruxism and to reduce the risk of tooth attrition include wearing a night or mouth guard to prevent excessive tooth contact. Having damaged teeth restored with dental restorations such as crowns, onlays, inlays, and fillings can also help.

​Night or mouth guards are custom-made to suit the individual’s teeth-grinding condition and oral dimensions. Similarly, teeth restorations are made bespoke to restore unique dental structure and enhance teeth appearance.

​If left untreated, grinding may cause severe dental damage and tooth attrition. This includes damage to teeth restorations such as crowns and fillings. Shielding the teeth with a night or mouth guard protects teeth from wear, improves health and reduces dental treatment costs.

​Screening for Tooth Wear

Attending regular dental check-ups will enable dentists to screen patients for tooth wear. If any is identified, the dentist can appropriately diagnose the cause and type of tooth wear and provide treatment recommendations.

​Each type of tooth wear –dental erosion, dental abrasion or dental attrition – requires different dentistry procedures. Some individuals may suffer from one or more of these toothwear conditions.

​Diagnosis and Tooth Wear Treatment

An individual suffering from a medical condition that causes dental erosion may need a referral to a General Practitioner (GP) for treatment.

People suffering from bruxism and acid reflux disorder may not be suited to treatment with a night or mouth guard that retains excessive acid on the tooth surface. Stress and anxiety can cause bruxism, and dentists may recommend patients receive medical treatment for their anxiety levels along with dental treatment.

​Treating tooth wear usually involves dental restoration and prevention of future dental wear. Dentists strive to preserve existing tooth structure and oral health by providing dental restoration treatments to rebuild and strengthen tooth structure, including composite fillings, inlays, onlays and dental crowns.

​Educating about the causes of dental wear and prevention enables patients to engage in lifestyle practices that enhance their well-being. This includes consuming a balanced, healthy diet and cleaning teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

​St Mawes Dental provides patients with information about tooth wear and screening. After the cause of the problem has been diagnosed, comprehensive care is offered. An early diagnosis is essential so that simpler treatments, including monitoring and prevention, may be provided.

​Sometimes, more complex treatments may be necessary to restore satisfactory function and deliver a good aesthetic result.