How to Eliminate Signs of Severe Wearing on the Teeth
By Robert Spoont | Published on May 17, 2011 | 0 Comments
When it comes to dental wearing, Dr. Robert Spoont says there are two main culprits. The Boca Raton teeth whitening specialist says that severe wearing can be caused by grinding and clenching, or erosion.
Speaking from his office at Freedman & Spoont, P.A., Dr. Spoont explains that the most common cause of dental wearing is nighttime clenching and grinding. This type of wearing happens slowly over a person’s lifetime. Although Dr. Spoont sees grinders in every age group, he says it is most common among people who have reason to be stressed out.
Grinding and clenching happen to be habits that come up when people are facing severe anxiety or workplace stressors. Or, in other cases, nighttime clenching can be a part of a person’s genetic makeup. Some people are grinders, and some people are not. In some cases, Dr. Spoont says, it can be as simple as that.
On the other hand, Dr. Spoont also sees patients whose dental wearing is caused by erosion. He can tell if this is the case based on where the tooth is being worn away. If the tooth is worn at the bottom, then clenching is probably causing the wearing. If the tooth is worn away around the gum line, then that is probably being caused by excessive tooth brushing.
According to Dr. Spoont, some patients can get carried away with brushing – to the point where they are brushing so vigorously that they are actually eroding their own teeth. Using a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard can also cause this type of dental erosion.
No matter what is causing the tooth erosion or dental wearing, Dr. Spoont says it’s important to put an end to the problem as quickly as possible. Tooth wearing issues must be addressed before any cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening can be done. In Boca Raton, health issues should always come before cosmetic concerns, says Dr. Spoont.
Once this type of dental damage is done, it’s impossible to make the worn-away tooth come back. If a person’s tooth wearing problem is left unaddressed, it can even lead to nerve damage. Although there are situations where patients can have crowns put over the top of certain teeth that show severe wear and erosion, this is never an ideal situation.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.