What is Dental Abrasion?

In a nutshell, dental abrasion is what happens after your teeth experience wear and tear over the years. This can result from the rubbing of foreign materials (abrasive in nature) against the oral cavity. Many factors contribute to dental abrasion, from repeated use of force to speed to the hardness of the material that’s brushing against the teeth or gums.

In other words, abrasion involves the progressive loss of hard tooth substances brought on by mechanical actions instead of tooth-on-tooth contact. It’s commonly linked with incorrect tooth brushing techniques, showing results at the junction of the root and the tooth.

If you suspect you have dental abrasion, it’s important to see your dentist in Studio City right away. Keep up with your regular visits, too, as your dentist will keep an eye out for this and notify you if you are displaying signs of dental abrasion.

Dental abrasion is caused by many things, from the type of toothbrush you use to the hard foods or ice you eat. Following are some contributing factors:

• Improper or too-frequent brushing
• Poorly fitting retainers or dentures
• Chewing on ice
• Securing nozzles of pipes between teeth
• Body modifications, i.e., triangular tooth morphology
• Biting sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Teeth grinding

Typically, the materials that cause abrasion are non-dietary, with the exception of seeds and similar hard foods that you tend to mindlessly chew on for long periods of time. The wear location varies by origin of the abrasion, along with the development speed, magnitude, extent of force, type of material, and repeated use of the abrasive material.

You may automatically think that frequent and aggressive brushing of your teeth will ensure cleaner results. But when you apply too much pressure, you can actually cause damage to the condition of the teeth and surrounding gums. When you brush too hard, you are essentially weakening the tooth structure’s outer layer, also known as enamel. If you notice v-shaped notches near the gum line, you likely have dental abrasion.

Tips to Prevent or Treat Dental Abrasion

You can treat and prevent dental abrasion in many ways. Chat with your dentist about any suggestions and heed these helpful tips:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush rather than a hard toothbrush.
• Brush gently, slowly and properly.
• Refrain from chewing on toothpicks and pencils
• Don’t bite your nails.
• Ensure removable dental appliances fit properly, such as dentures and retainers.
• Schedule regular dental visits at least twice a year for cleanings and fluoride treatments for kids, sealants, and dental bonding or fillings to replace lost tooth structure.

The most important thing you can do to prevent abrasion is to make sure you see your dental professional regularly. This will help your dentist detect small problems before they become bigger, more costly and more invasive.

Contact Studio City Dental Center

Make your appointment now by calling us at 818-762-2977, email us at info@studiocitydentalcenter.com or fill in our convenient online form for more information.