Teeth and the aging factor

Tooth wear caused by factors other than dental decay can be part of the normal aging process of our teeth.

Tooth wear can also occur in excess and cause rapid loss of tooth tissue in young people. Its diagnosis and early management is very important to the long term future of our teeth.

Tooth wear is made up of three processes:

Dental erosion - Dental erosion is caused by the presence of acids in the mouth which dissolve teeth.
Attrition - Loss of tooth tissue as a result of tooth to tooth contact, such as is seen in people who grind their teeth.
Abrasion - Physical wear of the tooth produced by something other than tooth to tooth contact, eg. over zealous, inappropriate or abrasive tooth brushing.

Here are some commonly asked questions about tooth wear:

Q: What causes dental erosion?

A: Essentially erosion is the action of acids on teeth causing them to dissolve. It differs from dental decay which requires the presence of sugar and bacteria - neither of which are necessary for erosion to occur. The source of these acids can be either extrinsic (something taken into the mouth from outside) or intrinsic (something brought into the mouth from the stomach).

Q: How common is tooth wear?

A: We don't really know. However, it is thought that between 25% and 50% of children and adults have signs of significant tooth wear.

Q: Is one process more common than any of the others?

A: It is likely that all three wear processes occur simultaneously in any one person. However, erosion is increasingly being identified in many cases of tooth wear, particularly in young people.

Q: What does dental erosion look like?

A: Depending on the primary cause of tooth wear, the appearance varies. Dental erosion has a very characteristic appearance. The teeth appear smooth and shiny, there is loss of surface characteristics and the outer surface or enamel becomes very thin. Sometimes the whole of the enamel surface is worn away and the underneath layer of dentine becomes exposed. Dentine has a deeper yellowish colour and in about half of cases the teeth become sensitive to hot and cold stimuli. Commonly the upper front incisor teeth start to chip as they become thinner and occasionally they can become discoloured.

Q:What can I do about it?

A: If you think your teeth are wearing, consult your dentist. Your dentist will establish the cause and instigate preventative strategies. This may include a change of diet, use of mouth rinses or fluoride sprays to neutralise acid exposure and use of a soft toothbrush. Your dentist can also protect vulnerable tooth surfaces, restore lost tooth tissue and monitor and review ongoing tooth tissue loss.