dental venue - Dental Abrasion

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Tooth Brush Abrasion

related: how to brush / how to floss / Nutrition

Brushing too aggressively with a hard-bristled toothbrush is a short trip to tooth abrasion. If your dentist has already mentioned this to you, you're not alone. Many people have it. It begins with a small "U" or "V" shaped area of wear adjacent to the gum line which, in many cases, may already show recession. Continued abuse leads to further recession. Once the gums begin to recede, root surfaces become exposed and sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures soon follow.

Often patients present missing large areas of tooth structure, particularly on the cheek surfaces, from toothbrush abrasion. Remember there's silica (sand) in the toothpaste your using! Typically, these are the patients who don't have too much sensitivity and are generally unaware that there’s even a problem. On the other side of the spectrum, some patients experience severe sensitivity from minute amounts of recession.

It's important to note that once the root surfaces of the teeth become exposed, wear progresses very rapidly. The outer layer of the roots are made of a material much less dense than enamel. The protective layer surrounding the roots is about as thin as a sheet of paper; it takes very little work to expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth.

While the potential for harm to teeth and gums through over-brushing is significant, an even greater percentage of the population suffers damage to their teeth from malocclusion (bad bite).

types of malocclutions

Abrasion Treatment

Treatment centers around fluoride applications and tooth-colored bonding. Usually, sensitivity problems are easily identified and cured. Care should be taken to identify what caused the abrasion in the first place. Lessening the amount of pressure you use while brushing, monitoring the length of brushing time, and using a soft-bristled toothbrush will usually correct the problem. You might also want to check the the angle your toothbrush makes against your teeth (it should be at a 45-degree angle to the gums, not perpendicular).

The Bottomline

Brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently (ie. without breaking a sweat.) Stay away from the scrub technique and use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Switch to a new brush every two months. Have your hygienist or dentist review the Modified-Bas brushing technique, if you need further assistance.

How to brush

Note: It is important to note that before beginning any course of treatment you should see your dentist. Please note that without the benefit of a full dental examination, including a review of medical history, dental x-rays, and diagnostic aids, no attempt can be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. However, we will be happy to update our site to include topics you feel deserve mention. contact us