Tooth wear

Tooth wear means the surface of a tooth is slowly lost over time. It has several causes. Teeth can wear against each other, as in bruxism. They can wear from rubbing against hard objects or harsh brushing. Acid can also dissolve the surface, which is called enamel erosion.

Some wear is normal with age. More serious wear can expose the dentin, which can make teeth sensitive. A dentist checks for wear and tear, texture changes, pitting and other telltale signs.

A dentist can talk with you about the cause and what may slow it down. A night guard can protect teeth from grinding. Our office describes this on its night guards page.