---
title: "What Is Tooth wear? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Tooth wear is the gradual loss of tooth surface. It can come from grinding, rubbing against other teeth or objects, or acid."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-wear
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Tooth wear

Tooth wear is the gradual loss of tooth surface. It can come from grinding, rubbing against other teeth or objects, or acid.

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](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding). They can wear from rubbing against hard objects or harsh brushing. Acid can also dissolve the surface, which is called [enamel erosion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/enamel-erosion).

Some wear is normal with age. More serious wear can expose the [dentin](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/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](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards).

[Town Center Dental can helpNight Guards for Bruxism](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/night-guards)

## Related terms

-   [Enamel erosion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/enamel-erosion)
-   [Bruxism (teeth grinding)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/bruxism-teeth-grinding)
-   [Night guard](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/night-guard)
-   [Dentin](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dentin)
-   [Tooth sensitivity](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-sensitivity)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Tooth Erosion: Stages, Causes & Treatment](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/tooth-erosion)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)