Treating Worn Down Teeth
It is completely natural for your teeth to show some everyday wear and tear as you age. Over time worn down teeth can have a negative impact on your self-confidence and self-esteem as they can become shorter, darker in color, and it will also affect your bite. Erosion, abrasion, and attrition, all contribute towards worn down teeth.
Worn down teeth are common in the older population. Some teeth wear is a natural side effect of ageing, but other factors such as teeth grinding, clenching, aggressive brushing, and consuming acidic food and drinks will accelerate it.
Symptoms of Worn-Down Teeth
There are many symptoms of worn-down teeth including:
* Loss of the protective enamel.
* Noticeable changes in their appearance.
* An increase in tooth sensitivity.
* Chipping.
* A more translucent look.
Worn down teeth can be both prevented and treated once the actual cause is identified.
Causes of Worn-Down Teeth
There are basically four common types of tooth erosion:
* Friction- This erosion happens from clenching or grinding your teeth, either during your day hours or more commonly at night during your sleep.
* Wear and tear- This can be the result of abusing your teeth, like opening bottles or plastic bags with your teeth, or by being too aggressive while brushing.
* Tooth stress- Additional stresses on your teeth will cause them to flex ever so slightly and lead to more erosion.
* Chemical attack- This can from outside of your body, like the acids found in your diet or medications, or from inside your body, like acid reflux.
Solutions to Repair Worn Down Teeth
Treating your worn-down teeth can be simple. The first step in repairing the erosion is to identify your cause. Dietary advice may be strongly suggested by your dental hygienist, or your dentist may make a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep from any nighttime grinding.
After your primary cause has been identified and the erosion stopped then the appropriate solution can be used to repair the past erosion.
A few common dental treatments to treat your worn-down teeth might include:
* Dental bonding- This treatment involves using a putty-like, composite material, which is shaded to match your teeth, to cover any imperfections. The material is applied, shaped, sculpted, and polished, on your worn-down teeth to cover jagged edges or discolorations.
* Dental crowns- A quite common and popular treatment for worn down teeth. The process will take several appointments and involves placing protective caps over worn down teeth.
* Veneers- Ceramic or porcelain veneers will help restore the aesthetic look, function, and feel of your natural teeth. The process involves placing a wafer-thin piece of veneer over the front of the teeth and is used to repair the front of the teeth to improve the appearance.
In addition, your dentist can create customized mouth guards to protect your teeth from grinding or an appliance which will help to realign your bite.
Further Complications of Leaving Worn Down Teeth Untreated
If you leave your worn-down teeth untreated it can lead to further deterioration as well as other long-term issues including:
* Bigger issues with tooth restoration.
* Increased tooth sensitivity from the loss of enamel exposing the softer dentine.
* More susceptible to common infections.
* Developing unnecessary issues with existing dental fillings.