Tooth erosion and tooth abrasion may sound like one thing. However, they are two different things that cause wear and tear of tooth tissues in both cases. There are multiple ways in which attrition of teeth can occur and can be defined. In this blog, we will take an in-depth look into the distinction between these terms and when you should visit a dental clinic for dental attrition.
What is Tooth Erosion?
Tooth erosion refers to the wearing away of the tooth surface by an acid that dissolves the enamel and dentin. This is primarily cause by diet, environmental factors, regurgitation, flow of saliva, and exposed dentin due to tooth damage.
The main causes of tooth erosion include:
1. Excessive Intake of Sour Foods and Beverages
Citrus foods and beverages including apple juices, wine, beer, or coke have high acid levels that lead to tooth erosion.
2. Low Saliva Production
Saliva helps neutralize the acid and causes “washing” of the mouth. With aging, saliva production decreases and it fails to maintain healthy pH levels in the mouth, which leads to tooth erosion.
3. Chronic Regurgitation or Vomiting
In the case of chronic regurgitation, extremely acidic juices from the stomach come into the mouth and contact with the teeth. This leads to tooth erosion.
If left untreated, tooth erosion advances and exposes the dentin. Hence, consulting a dentist is crucial to safeguard your teeth from further damage.
What is Dental Attrition?
Attrition teeth are the most common type of tooth wear. It refers to tooth wear manifested over the years due to chewing and external agents, including abrasive toothpaste, citrus fruits, and excessive brushing.
Dental attrition is very similar to abrasion. The basic difference between both is the area of damage. While attrition affects all teeth, abrasion is mostly restrict to front teeth that come in contact with outside objects.
Attrition occurs gradually over the years. In some people, however, it may be more pronounced. For instance, abrasion can start the process of damage in some people, leading to attrition.
Causes of Dental Attrition
The main causes of dental attrition include:
1. Bruxism
Bruxism refers to jaw clenching during the night or in stressful or nervous situations. This abnormal habit of jaw clenching puts unnecessary pressure on the teeth and leads to attrition.
2. Absence of Chewing Teeth
The main role of side teeth is to chew food, as the front teeth are meant to bite. In some people, when the chewing teeth are missing, the role of chewing food also falls on the front teeth. This way, the front teeth are subjected to extra pressure and tend to wear faster.
3. Improper Prosthetic Work
If some prosthetics including bridges, implants, or crowns are not placed correctly, these can cause uneven contact with other teeth. This constant contact may produce friction and cause damage to the opposite teeth.
4. Dysfunction in Occlusion
Occlusion refers to how we close our mouths or how the jaws come together. Proper occlusion occurs when the contacts between the chewing teeth are balanced, and the upper jaw slightly overlaps the lower jaw. If this balance is not present, it can lead to misalignment of the teeth, resulting in wear or attrition.
What is Tooth Abrasion?
Abrasion is very similar to dental attrition. External factors cause abrasion, while internal deformities or tooth grinding cause dental attrition. Abrasion is caused by repeated contact of a hard object with the teeth. This continuous contact causes the wearing out of the part of the tooth with which it interacts.
The main causes of tooth abrasion include:
- Excessive use of toothpicks.
- Other bad habits include biting nails or pens and breaking seeds with teeth.
- Habits such as holding a sewing needle between the teeth or blowing tools.
- Opening bottles with teeth.
What is Tooth Abfraction?
Abfraction refers to the loss of tooth structure where the tooth and gum are joined. The damage appears in the form of a “V” shape. Similar to attrition, abfraction is also caused by excessive pressure on the teeth, which causes them to lose their structure.
The main causes of tooth abfraction include:
- A lesion or trauma during chewing.
- Constant tension on the teeth and gums.
- Bruxism.
- Improper chewing habits.
- Uneven height of teeth.
Takeaway
Although closely related, dental attrition, abrasion, erosion, and abfraction are different. The main difference lies in the cause of the tooth damage. While attrition and abfraction are cause by internal factors, abrasion and erosion result from external factors, such as harsh objects or sour foods. Regardless of the type or cause of tooth wear, it is important to consult your dentist to fix these issues.
Get Your Oral Health in Check at University Ave Dental!
Whether you wish to correct teeth wear or have your oral health analyzed, our expert dentists at University Ave Dental are here to help. Our specialists possess years of experience and can devise an appropriate and long-lasting routine for comprehensive oral health.
Schedule an appointment with us today!
You can also contact us at (763) 784-1242.
Alternatively, you can visit us at 10155 University Ave NE, Suite #112, Blaine, MN 55434.