Why are my teeth wearing down?

The most common causes are:

• Tooth-grinding
• Acid reflux
• Diets that are high in soft drinks, fruit, fruit juices
• Excessive force during tooth brushing

What can I do to stop it from progressing?

The cause of tooth wear is sometimes difficult to establish and needs a detailed history and assessment to be sure that it can be prevented in future.  The preventive approach obviously depends on the cause may involve one or more of the following:

• Use of a nightguard or occlusal splint – if toothgrinding
• Medical treatment  – if related to acid reflux
• Diet changes if related to soft drinks or fruit as above
• Oral hygiene instruction – if related to excessive brushing force

Identification of the cause and prevention of future wear is always the first and most important step before starting treatment.

Does all tooth wear need treatment?

Not if its addressed on time so early diagnosis is the key.  If the wear has progressed to any significant degree into the core or dentine of the tooth, treatment is usually required as the dentine is soft and will wear quickly if not covered up.  Tooth wear related to brushing technique often requires very little work and is usually not expensive to manage.  Wear from toothgrinding or acid erosion can be complex to treat and is particular important to spot early.  The treatments for this are very varied and would need to be assessed and discussed on a case by case basis.  If you are concerned that your teeth may be wearing down, it is very important to contact your dentist.