There are many different reasons for your teeth to exhibit certain problems with their structures. One of these problems includes the wearing down of your teeth’s chewing surfaces, which can occur for a number of different reasons and have an even broader range of impacts on your oral health. When your teeth become worn-down, it can directly impact their health and integrity, and the cause of it could become the source of even greater problems for your smile later. Today, we examine why some teeth might wear down fast, what it could mean for the state of your oral health, and how we can help you avoid further problems by restoring your teeth and addressing the cause of their excessive wear.
Why teeth shouldn’t wear down
When your natural teeth are healthy, they’re among the most resilient parts of your entire body. Much of this resilient is due to the highly durable enamel that surrounds and protects them, which is made from a number of different mineral strands. When you keep your teeth healthy and strong with consistently good hygiene and preventive dental care, they can successfully withstand your bite’s pressure and friction without sustaining any noticeable wear or damage. Because of this, any signs of tooth wear should be taken seriously, as it will likely indicate an underlying problem with your oral health that needs to be addressed.
When your teeth wear themselves down
One of the more frequent reasons for healthy teeth to start wearing down is because the balance, pressure, and/or function of your bite is compromised to some degree. For example, your teeth constantly grinding against each other, a condition known as bruxism, can result from underlying problems such as a jaw dysfunction (or TMJ disorder), tooth misalignment, and more. The force of your teeth grinding against each other unchecked can quickly wear down their chewing surfaces, where your upper and lower teeth meet each other. If your bruxism continues, the damage will grow worse, and so will the risks to the rest of your teeth and oral health.
How to address the problem correctly
If you notice that your teeth start to feel worn-down, then it’s important to schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible to have the problem diagnosed and treated. If the reason is bruxism, for example, then the faster you address it and its underlying cause, the sooner you can stop your teeth from grinding against each other. For many people, this can include wearing a custom-designed bruxism appliance while they sleep at night to protect their teeth from the pressure and friction of grinding. It may also include restoring one or more teeth that have become excessively worn due to your bruxism problem.
Stop your teeth from becoming worn down
Healthy, natural tooth structure shouldn’t become worn down under the normal pressures of biting and chewing. If yours are wearing down, then schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
