Shawbirch – Tooth Wear

At Shawbirch Dental, we’re highly experienced in carrying out treatment for tooth wear, which range from simple cases, to patients requiring complex treatment techniques and planning.

We take great pride in seeing our patients live pain-free again, able to eat the foods they love and show off a beautifully restored smile.

What is tooth wear?

There are several reasons why teeth sustain wear. As we age, it’s normal to have some level of tooth wear, but there are factors that can accelerate its development. These include:

Clenching and tooth grinding: this is quite a common habit that most people do without realising. It is often associated with stress but can also be a habit with day to day tasks such as driving, using a computer or even weight lifting. Rubbing the top and bottom teeth against each other excessively can wear away the enamel and put too much strain on the teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints.

Acidic wear: acidic wear occurs when your tooth’s protective enamel coating is worn, due to frequent contact with fizzy drinks and acidic food and drink. Tooth erosion can also happen when naturally occurring acids in the body find their way to the mouth and attack your teeth, for instance, those who suffer gastric reflux.

Excessive brushing habits: brushing your teeth too hard (this is common in those who use a manual toothbrush) can lead to the enamel wearing down. This can lead to sensitivity and recession of the gums.

How is tooth wear managed?

Preventive measures

Diet: a highly acidic diet can cause enamel erosion. We may advise making a few small changes you can make to your diet or the timing of eating/drinking the acidic food or drinks.
Some examples of acidic drinks include – sparkling water, fizzy pop, energy drinks, wine, alcohol, juices, lemon water, fruit teas and squash.

Tooth brushing habits: If we see signs of over brushing we may suggest switching to an electric toothbrush, especially one that warns you when you are brushing too hard.

Restoring and repairing worn or damaged teeth: restoring worn teeth is a more complex process than restoring non-worn teeth for several reasons, and requires more planning. Once a complete assessment of your mouth has been completed, we can establish the best course of action for your specific needs. Dr Chetan will devise a tailor-made treatment plan and discuss this with you before any treatment is started.

Splints and night guards: custom made splints or night guards can be made to protect your teeth and reduce tooth grinding (bruxism) and the associated symptoms such as toothache, jaw, neck and head pain. Splints can be worn on the upper or lower teeth and are generally worn when you are asleep as this is the time many patients have a grinding or clenching habit.

Muscle relaxation: the masseter muscle is usually over tense and overworked in patients who clench and grind their teeth a lot, which can lead to facial pain and jaw ache. Tension in the jaw muscles can be relieved by carefully injecting botulinum toxin into the masseter muscle to help relax it. The effects of the toxin wear off after approximately 6 months and during this time we encourage patients to reduce their stress and wear a night guard for longer-lasting results.

Dental rehabilitation

Dental rehabilitation is suited to those who have suffered multiple enduring problems with their teeth. By restoring your teeth and gums to their optimal condition, dental rehabilitation improves your oral health, tooth function and aesthetics.

How are missing teeth managed in a tooth wear case?

There are several options available for replacing missing teeth:

• Dental implants: these are titanium fixtures placed in the jawbone to act like the root of a tooth, which then have a crown or bridge placed on top. Dental implants can be used to replace single or multiple missing teeth, and can even treat patients who need all their teeth replaced.
• Removable dentures: these are often used to replace multiple teeth and can be used in combination with dental implants for a far superior and comfortable solution.

Read more information about treatment for missing teeth at Shawbirch Dental here.

Bruxism

Bruxism can lead to temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) which can typically present with symptoms such as:

• Painful or clicking jaw joints.
• Stiff neck.
• Grinding or clenching of the teeth.
• Limited opening or pain when yawning.
• Difficulty eating hard, chewy foods.

Those with symptoms should seek dental advice, so the cause can be identified before treatment is given. This may include restorative treatment, splint therapy or using muscle relaxants to relax the hyperactive muscles of the jaw.

Snoring devices

Breathing difficulties during sleep such as snoring and sleep apnoea can affect your quality of life day-to-day. Fortunately, it’s possible to keep such problems at bay, with custom made snoring devices that can significantly improve your quality of sleep and by extension, your energy levels during the day. Snoring devices work by preventing your lower jaw from dropping back whilst you sleep, which stops your airways from closing and prompts you to snore.