Wear and tear is a common cause of damage to your teeth, especially as you get older. While some wear and tear is inevitable, you can take precautions to reduce the long-term damage it can cause. Regular dental visits will also help keep your teeth healthy and strong. [pullquote]You can also cause wear to your teeth by chewing on things like ice, pencils, pens, or other non-food items.[/pullquote]
What Causes Tooth Wear?
Teeth experience a great deal of stress and pressure as you bite and chew. The molars are particularly susceptible to wear and tear as a result of natural stresses. Teeth can chip or even crack when you bite or chew particularly hard, chewy, or sticky foods. You can also cause wear to your teeth by chewing on things like ice, pencils, pens, or other non-food items. To keep from chipping or cracking your teeth, avoid these actions. You should avoid using your teeth to open bottles, crack nuts, or bite through threads or plastic tags as well.
Teeth can also experience wear such as pitting or thinning enamel due to using a toothbrush that is too stiff or toothpaste that is too abrasive. If you aren’t sure what kind of toothpaste or toothbrush to use to keep from causing damage to the outer surfaces of your teeth, consult with your dentist for a recommendation.
Treating Tooth Wear
If you have experienced extensive wear on your teeth, whether it is surface wear or involves chipping or cracking, your dentist can provide treatment to restore your teeth to their original look. The type of treatment that will be most appropriate for your teeth depends upon the type of wear and tear you have experienced.
If your teeth have experienced sufficient damage, you might wish to have cosmetic treatment such as porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding. Veneers are placed on the front surfaces of the teeth and can correct extensive discoloration, chips, cracks or pitting. Bonding can be used to restore your teeth to their original shape using a composite resin to correct chips or broken places in the teeth.
To find out how to prevent wear to your teeth, or how to treat teeth that are already worn, call our Toronto dental office today to schedule a consultation.