Why Teeth Wear Down

The Three Types of Tooth Wear

As part of our Longevity Dentistry philosophy, we believe in diagnosing the cause before treating the symptom. Tooth wear generally falls into three categories:

Attrition (Grinding)

This is tooth-to-tooth wear, often caused by bruxism (clenching and grinding). It frequently occurs at night and is strongly linked to airway issues, sleep apnoea, and stress. The teeth become flattened, shorter, and more prone to chipping.

Erosion (Acid)

Erosion is the chemical dissolution of tooth enamel by acid. This can be dietary (carbonated drinks, citrus fruits) or intrinsic (acid reflux, GERD, bulimia). The teeth often appear yellow, smooth, and cupped out.

Abrasion (Friction)

Mechanical wear caused by foreign objects, most commonly aggressive toothbrushing with hard bristles or abrasive toothpastes. It often presents as notches near the gumline.

The Danger of "Quick Fixes"

A common mistake in dentistry is attempting to fix worn teeth simply by bonding white filling material or placing crowns over them without understanding the functional forces that caused the wear in the first place.

• If you grind your natural teeth down, you will grind the restorations down too.
• Restoring worn teeth often requires altering the bite to create adequate space.
• Underlying airway or TMJ issues must be managed first.

1. Airway Assessment

We screen for sleep-disordered breathing, as bruxism is often a subconscious effort to open a collapsed airway during sleep.

2. Bite Analysis

We analyse how your teeth meet and slide against each other, identifying interferences that cause excessive friction.

3. TMJ Evaluation

We assess the health of your jaw joints and muscles to ensure they can support a stable, comfortable bite.

4. Digital Planning

Using 3D scans, we digitally design your restored bite before any treatment begins, ensuring predictable outcomes.

Can you rebuild my worn teeth?

Will a nightguard stop the wear?

Does acid reflux really damage teeth that much?