Dental abrasion is the abrasion of tooth enamel. Despite being one of the hardest materials, surface wear can destroy our enamel over time. Abrasions will eventually weaken the enamel and contribute to other issues, including decay, sensitivity, nerve irritation, and tooth fracture. At Dentist of Bixby Knolls, we treat dental abrasions to help restore your oral health and smile.
There are three types of enamel wear:
Abrasion: Damage from external forces
Attrition: Damage caused by tooth-on-tooth friction, particularly from bruxism (clenching and grinding of the teeth)
Erosion: Damage from acidic components, including alcohol, acidic foods, and medications. Patients dealing with GERD, bulimia, and alcoholism also often experience enamel erosion.
If you experience the following symptoms, you might have a dental abrasion. Contact your Bixby Knolls dentist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Tooth discoloration
Sensitivity to sweet or acidic foods
Sensitivity to temperature
Excess plaque build-up at the gum line
Abfraction (tringle-like notches at the base of the tooth)
Food impaction in abfractions
Dental abrasions leave your tooth susceptible to decay and fracture. The enamel protects your teeth, particularly your nerves. When the enamel is gone, bacteria, sugars, and acids can cause sensitivity, decay, and nerve irritation.
The loss of enamel also makes the tooth weaker structurally. Biting on something hard can potentially cause the tooth to break.
And because it’s often difficult to thoroughly clean food debris and plaque out of abfractions, you can also end up with gum disease.
Treatment for dental abrasions can reduce your risk of tooth damage and disease.
Your North Long Beach dentist can treat dental abrasions with composite resin – the same material we use for fillings.
Composite bonding fills the concavity caused by abrasion and protects your tooth from further damage.
Composite resin is tooth-colored, so your dental bonding will blend with your natural tooth. No one will even know you have a restoration.
In cases of severe dental abrasion, your dentist might recommend a crown or veneers. These restorations will give the tooth extra support to withstand chewing and prevent decay and fractures.
Insurance coverage varies from policy to policy – even when the policies are from the same company. Talk to our dental team to learn more about your insurance coverage for dental abrasion treatment. We’ll help you utilize your insurance fully and work out a payment plan that works with your budget.
One of the most important things you can do to prevent dental abrasions is to visit Dentist of Bixby Knolls regularly. Your dentist will monitor your teeth for changes, including abrasions.
If your dentist notices any changes, they’ll recommend tips to help reduce enamel damage, such as:
Proper brushing and flossing technique
Fluoride toothpaste recommendations
Tips to stop using your teeth as tools
And if you have more advanced abrasions, your dentist can provide treatment to stop their progression. Contact us to schedule an oral evaluation if you’re concerned you might have dental abrasions.
Contact us at (562) 287-5175 to schedule an appointment with your North Long Beach dentist.
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