'BEST PRACTICE' AT HOME ORAL HYGIENE IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAINING A STRONG TOOTH STRUCTURE.
TOOTH WEAR
Tooth Wear is a dental term that refers to the destruction of tooth tissue that has not been caused by dental decay. There are three main causes of tooth wear: Erosion, Abrasion and Attrition.
Erosion
Erosion is caused by acid softening the outer layer of your tooth. This acid can come from many sources; from natural acids (such as lemon or grapefruit) to fizzy drinks. Pregnant women who suffer from severe morning sickness are also prone to dental erosion. Acids dissolve your enamel (the outer layer of your tooth) and leaves the soft surface of dentine (the middle layer of your tooth) exposed which can easily be worn away. Your saliva contains a high concentration of minerals which are a form of antidote to this process. These minerals become deposited on the softened enamel and dentine causing your tooth structure to harden again. It is therefore recommended to wait an hour before using a toothbrush after eating in order to give your teeth a chance to harden and become more resistant to the abrasion of the toothbrush.
Abrasion
Abrasion is usually caused by the above process of erosion combined with over zealous teeth brushing. It is best to not use too much toothpaste and also ensure that you brush your teeth gently but thoroughly. Again, it is important not to brush your teeth within an hour of eating to give your saliva a chance to re-harden your teeth. Over zealous teeth brushing especially after eating has a similar effect to sandpaper.
Attrition
Attrition is most commonly caused by mastication or grinding between teeth although it can also be caused by eating fibrous foods which can be abrasive. Attrition will cause the biting surface of your teeth to wear away with time.
Treatments
Prevention is, of course, the best form of treatment. During your dental exams and hygienist appointments we take the time to ensure that you understand the best ways to avoid tooth wear including 'best practice' at home oral hygiene practices.
Where tooth wear has progressed and treatment is required we offer many different treatments to ensure that you can have a structurally stable, beautiful, natural looking smile. The primary restorative treatments that are utilised are: (please follow the links below for further information on these specific treatments)
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU:
