Teeth are naturally strong. A routine cleaning regimen will
help to maintain a healthy set of teeth. There are several threats against
teeth that brushing will not protect teeth from. The good news is that there
are several other strategies which can be used to guard teeth from accidental
and normal wear and tear.
Accidental Tooth Wear
No one plans to ship, break or fracture a tooth. Significant
injuries require immediate dental work. It is important to contact a dentist
right away when emergency trauma has left a tooth damaged. It is important to
think about proactive action to help prevent or limit potential damage.
· - Limit biting on hard items (popcorn kernels,
ice) especially on teeth with fillings or crowns.
· - Wear mouth guards when playing sports.
- Get damaged teeth restored. The tooth will never
be as strong as the original, but a restored tooth is much stronger than the
weakened tooth without restorations.
Teeth grinding will
wear down teeth
Teeth are designed to bite, chew and grind food. Tooth wear concerns are for those people who
do it unconsciously (during sleep). Bruxism (tooth grinding) can wear down the
points of molars and cause micro-cracks in enamel. This action leaves the tooth
more susceptible to dental caries (tooth decay) and breakage. In additions to
tooth wear, grinding will also bring on headaches, muscle pain and injury. If
the person is unaware of their grinding, the dentist will see signs of the
damage during regular check-ups.
Preventative measures
for teeth grinding:
· - Regular dental check-ups to catch a problem in
early stages
· - Wear a mouth guard or splint when sleeping to
minimize tooth wear
· - Manage the stress and anger that may create
tooth grinding and clenching problems
Tooth Wear from Acid
and Erosion
Acid levels found inside the mouth are linked to enamel
erosion. When the pH is out of balance, teeth are more susceptible to dental
carries. The balance will shift when acidic foods and drinks are consumed
and/or acidic-bacteria levels rise. Some diseases will also influence the
erosion levels of teeth. People who are bulimic, pregnant women with long-term
morning sickness, chronic gastritis (linked to alcoholism) or gastro esophageal
re-flux disease (GERD).
Medical attention to help treat these diseases is the best
course of action to limit the erosion side-affects. Doctors may prescribe
medication or provide information regarding dietary changes in order to limit
further damage to tooth enamel. It is also important to keep up with dental
check-ups so the dentist can keep abreast of the effects the acid problems have
on tooth enamel.
Dentists have been known to observe the signs of diseases by
the dental side-affects. Dr. Patel will advise patients to make an appointment
with their primary physician if oral health problems signal other health
concerns.
Call Diablo Pacific Dental Group for more information or to
schedule an appointment to stop excess tooth wear in its tracks.
