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Tooth abrasion is a common problem in society. Different reasons play a role in its formation. For example, there may be fractures at the tips of the teeth due to impacts such as falling or hitting, tissue loss due to physiological aging of the teeth, tooth decay due to the effect of microorganisms, and there may also be abrasions on the teeth due to brushing, exposure to acid, and high chewing forces. The type and severity of the abrasive factor affects the appearance of the abrasion and the way it is treated.
Why do teeth wear down?
Depending on the type of factor that causes tooth wear, some definitions emerge. These are as follows;
- Tooth Decay
- Tooth fracture
- Attrition
- Abfraction
- Brush abrasion
- Acid erosion
Tooth Decay
Caries are the dissolution of tooth tissue by the acid produced by microorganisms as a result of consuming the food consumed. Caries that occur in the area where the tooth and gum meet (cervical area) are examples of tooth wear. It should be distinguished from cervical wear that occurs due to other reasons.
Tooth fracture
It is the indirect hard tissue loss in the tooth as a result of excessive force applied directly to the tooth or the oral area. There is usually loss of both enamel and the dentin under the enamel. There are different treatment options depending on the size of the fracture.
What is attrition?
It is a type of abrasion that occurs as a result of tooth-to-tooth contact. This type of abrasion increases in people's teeth with age and is physiological. In addition, the speed of abrasion increases even more due to reasons such as teeth clenching. If the extra abrasions caused by teeth clenching are not treated, they can later damage the tooth structure. It can cause serious tooth tissue loss and aesthetic losses that will make a holistic change on the entire face.
What is abfraction?
It generally occurs due to excessive chewing force accumulation due to teeth clenching. Unlike harmful attrition that requires treatment, it is the unnatural loss of tooth tissue at the gum level due to high chewing force accumulation in the part of the tooth close to the gum (cervical).
What is abrasion and brush abrasion?
Abrasion is the loss of tooth hard tissue caused by a foreign, mechanical agent that comes into contact with the teeth. It usually occurs with a toothbrush. It is the V-shaped tooth tissue loss that occurs at the gum level, especially on the premolars of people who brush with horizontal, back-and-forth movements and high force. Another example of abrasion is the notches that form on the cutting edges of the front teeth. These notches usually occur due to intense nuclear cracking, holding objects such as needles and nails between the teeth for a long time and frequently, or in pipe users, due to the position of the pipe, and in wind instrument players, due to the instrument-related tooth tissue loss. It is seen as notches on the tips of the front teeth.
What is acid erosion?
Unnatural tooth tissue loss caused by acid effects (such as excessive consumption of acidic foods, stomach problems such as reflux or frequent vomiting and the effect of stomach acid) without the effect of microorganisms is called tooth erosion. Apart from the acid that causes tooth destruction, factors such as tooth brushing and teeth grinding also take part in the formation of erosion. This situation is very important in terms of detection.
How do we know if our teeth are worn down?
When our teeth wear down, color differences are seen in certain areas of our teeth and sensitivity begins. Tooth wear due to clenching and attrition is seen as flattening and yellowing in the middle points of the crests on the chewing surface of our teeth. The reason for this yellowing is the color of the dentin tissue under the enamel. Because enamel has a whiter structure, while the original color of dentin is yellow. For this reason, the areas where the enamel is worn down and the dentin is exposed appear yellow. Abrasions caused by other factors other than attrition are usually seen in the tooth tissue at the gum level.
Does tooth sensitivity indicate tooth wear?
Not every sensitivity and color change in teeth means wear.
- Cracks in the teeth cause tooth sensitivity when acidic or cold foods are consumed.
- As a result of gum recession due to tartar, the root surface is exposed. The root surface is very open to external factors. Therefore, gum recession is another cause of tooth sensitivity.
- Tooth decay can be confused with abrasion sensitivity because it causes sensitivity.
- Discolorations such as cigarette, tea, coffee should be distinguished by the color difference in tooth wear.
How to detect tooth wear?
When examining tooth wear, your dentist checks the surface, the type of wear, the width and depth of the wear, and the teeth on which it is located to decide whether treatment is necessary. In this examination, in addition to the classic visual examination, intraoral cameras, photographs, and dental films can be used if deemed necessary. At the end of the examination, your dentist determines the cause of the wear and plans the treatment accordingly. If you have the above factors that cause tooth wear or if you have any suspicions that there is wear, consulting your dentist without delay will prevent the problem from progressing. In this way, your problem will be solved with easier treatments without progressing. Because these wears must be treated in order for our teeth to remain in our mouths for life. It is necessary to visit the dentist every 6 months to control these wears.
Dr. İrem Sena Divanlıoğlu
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