How to Treat Excessive Tooth Wear
You've got to use your teeth, right? Of course you do; otherwise you might starve.
But one consequence of daily use is that you might develop excessive tooth wear, which is defined as the loss of tooth surface that is not caused by decay or by an injury.
Abnormal tooth wear can affect the enamel, dentin and the nerves of the tooth.
It's unsightly and can lead to health problems that need to be cared for by a dentist - preferably one who is holistic and practices only safe, natural dentistry.
Dentists have identified three main categories of tooth wear: attrition, abrasion, and erosion.
1.
Attrition is the mechanical wearing down of the biting and chewing surfaces of teeth.
This can be caused by the types of food you eat or clenching and grinding of teeth.
For example, people whose diets include a lot of corn meal can show excessive wear on their teeth.
Some people at night clench and grind their teeth during sleep without being aware of it.
The damage to teeth caused by attrition is best repaired with non-metallic crowns or inlays/onlay.
For those who have heavy grinding sometimes a sleep guard can prevent further damage and relieve some of the tension.
2.
Abrasion is the wearing away of the tooth surface caused by friction.
For example, heavy brushing and scrubbing can cause abrasion.
The use of harsh toothpastes can be a factor also.
Toothbrush abrasion can be repaired by bonding a natural tooth-colored filling over the abraded area of the tooth.
3.
Erosion is the wearing away of tooth surface by an acid, which dissolves the enamel and the dentin.
Some people love to suck on lemons; this kind of acid can etch the teeth and cause erosion.
The loss of the tooth enamel and the resulting sensitivity of the exposed dentin can be attended to in the following ways: small areas of erosion can be desensitized by your holistic dentist; larger areas of exposed dentin can be repaired by bonding a natural tooth-colored filling material to the tooth; or a non-toxic crown can be fitted over the entire tooth, where the erosion has led to a large breakdown of tooth structure.
If you think that your tooth enamel is wearing down for any reason, see your dentist.
For best results, make sure that you choose a dentist who practices with a natural, holistic approach.
Avoid the use of toxic mercury fillings and metal bridgework, and ask for safe, natural porcelain and other biocompatible dental materials.
But one consequence of daily use is that you might develop excessive tooth wear, which is defined as the loss of tooth surface that is not caused by decay or by an injury.
Abnormal tooth wear can affect the enamel, dentin and the nerves of the tooth.
It's unsightly and can lead to health problems that need to be cared for by a dentist - preferably one who is holistic and practices only safe, natural dentistry.
Dentists have identified three main categories of tooth wear: attrition, abrasion, and erosion.
1.
Attrition is the mechanical wearing down of the biting and chewing surfaces of teeth.
This can be caused by the types of food you eat or clenching and grinding of teeth.
For example, people whose diets include a lot of corn meal can show excessive wear on their teeth.
Some people at night clench and grind their teeth during sleep without being aware of it.
The damage to teeth caused by attrition is best repaired with non-metallic crowns or inlays/onlay.
For those who have heavy grinding sometimes a sleep guard can prevent further damage and relieve some of the tension.
2.
Abrasion is the wearing away of the tooth surface caused by friction.
For example, heavy brushing and scrubbing can cause abrasion.
The use of harsh toothpastes can be a factor also.
Toothbrush abrasion can be repaired by bonding a natural tooth-colored filling over the abraded area of the tooth.
3.
Erosion is the wearing away of tooth surface by an acid, which dissolves the enamel and the dentin.
Some people love to suck on lemons; this kind of acid can etch the teeth and cause erosion.
The loss of the tooth enamel and the resulting sensitivity of the exposed dentin can be attended to in the following ways: small areas of erosion can be desensitized by your holistic dentist; larger areas of exposed dentin can be repaired by bonding a natural tooth-colored filling material to the tooth; or a non-toxic crown can be fitted over the entire tooth, where the erosion has led to a large breakdown of tooth structure.
If you think that your tooth enamel is wearing down for any reason, see your dentist.
For best results, make sure that you choose a dentist who practices with a natural, holistic approach.
Avoid the use of toxic mercury fillings and metal bridgework, and ask for safe, natural porcelain and other biocompatible dental materials.
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