Hornchurch Dentist
Tooth Wear
Tooth erosion, abrasion and attrition
Worn down teethDestruction of tooth tissue
What is tooth wear?
Our dentists have undergone further training to understand and treat complex restorative tooth wear cases.
Tooth wear is very common and can occur as a result of bruxism, acid erosion or general wear and tear. Tooth wear is also known as tooth substance loss or TSL.
There are three main types of tooth wear:
- erosion
- attrition
- abrasion
Teeth erosion, abrasion and attrition
Attrition damages the teeth through friction and contact between the teeth. The most common example of this kind of tooth substance loss is teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism. Clenching and grinding the teeth together damages the biting surfaces of the teeth.
Abrasion damages the teeth by wearing away the protective enamel surface. The most common example of mechanical abrasion is brushing your teeth too hard.
Often, patients have signs of one, two or three types of tooth substance loss.
Teeth erosion, abrasion and attrition
Attrition damages the teeth through friction and contact between the teeth. The most common example of this kind of tooth substance loss is teeth grinding, which is also known as bruxism. Clenching and grinding the teeth together damages the biting surfaces of the teeth.
Abrasion damages the teeth by wearing away the protective enamel surface. The most common example of mechanical abrasion is brushing your teeth too hard.
Often, patients have signs of one, two or three types of tooth substance loss.
How to minimise erosion
What causes tooth wear?
When you eat or drink something acidic, the teeth are weakened and they can only withstand a limited number of attacks per day. If you are drinking or eating throughout the day, this means that your teeth are constantly under attack.
It is advisable to drink water throughout the day and to have fizzy drinks, cordial or a glass of wine with a meal if you fancy a change. It is also beneficial to wait around one hour after eating to brush your teeth, as brushing straight after eating can damage the enamel. This is because it will be temporarily weaker after you have eaten. Leaving an hour or so gives the teeth time to remineralise and the saliva in your mouth time to neutralise everything.
Teeth grinding, Bruxism
Get In Touch
Hacton Dental Care
1 Hacton Lane
Hornchurch
Essex
RM12 6PH
t: 01708 447603