Causes of Tooth Wear and How to Treat It

Have you ever noticed your teeth looking shorter, more yellow, or becoming sensitive to hot and cold foods? These could be signs of tooth wear – a condition that silently damages both your smile and your oral health. In this article, Platinum Dental Group will guide you through the causes, symptoms, and modern treatment solutions to help you protect your teeth.

What is tooth wear?

Tooth Wear is the gradual loss of enamel and dentin structure caused by factors unrelated to tooth decay. This process develops slowly over time but can lead to serious consequences for both aesthetics and function. Tooth wear is commonly divided into three main types:

Attrition

This refers to wear that occurs when tooth surfaces come into direct contact with each other. The most common causes are bruxism (teeth grinding) during sleep or stress, or an edge-to-edge bite where opposing teeth constantly rub against each other.

Erosion

This is the dissolution of tooth structure by acids without bacterial involvement. The acid may come from external sources such as acidic foods and drinks (soft drinks, citrus juices, wine), or from internal sources such as stomach acid reflux (GERD).

Abrasion

This is wear caused by mechanical friction from foreign objects against the tooth surface. Common habits leading to this condition include brushing too hard with a hard-bristled toothbrush, nail-biting, chewing on pens, or other hard objects.

Causes of tooth wear

There are several factors that contribute to tooth wear, which can be grouped into the following main categories:

Pathological factors

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid has a very low pH. When it flows back into the oral cavity, it comes into contact with teeth and severely erodes enamel – especially on the inner surfaces of the upper molars and the chewing surfaces of the lower molars.
• Bruxism (teeth grinding): The unconscious habit of grinding or clenching teeth, often during sleep, generates excessive force on tooth surfaces. This leads to wear, cracks, fractures, and shortening of tooth crowns.
• Malocclusion (improper bite): Conditions such as edge-to-edge or crossbite create abnormal contact points and excessive pressure on certain teeth, accelerating localized wear.

Dietary habits

• Frequent consumption of acidic beverages: Soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices (orange, lemon), and wine are “enemies” of tooth enamel. The acids in these drinks soften enamel, making it more vulnerable to wear during chewing and brushing.
  
• High sugar and acidic foods: Eating large amounts of foods like gummy candies, sour fruits, and pickled products increases the acid load in the mouth, contributing to tooth erosion.

Behavioral and mechanical factors

• Biting nails, pens, or hard objects: These habits apply strong forces that can chip, fracture, and gradually wear down teeth.
• Improper brushing technique: Using a hard-bristled toothbrush and scrubbing horizontally with excessive force can cause cervical abrasion, forming wedge-shaped notches and leading to tooth sensitivity.

Signs of tooth wear

Tooth wear often progresses silently, but you can recognize it through the following signs:

• Changes in tooth color: As the outer white enamel layer wears away, the underlying dentin – which is more yellow – becomes exposed, making teeth look more yellow. The edges of teeth may also appear translucent.
• Cracks or fractures on teeth: Worn teeth become weaker and are more prone to chipping or cracking along the biting edges.
• Tooth sensitivity: This is one of the most common signs. When enamel is worn away and dentin is exposed, teeth become more sensitive to hot, cold, acidic, or sweet foods and drinks.
• Tooth pain: In severe cases, when a significant amount of dentin is lost and the wear approaches the pulp, you may experience persistent toothache.
• Reduced vertical dimension of the lower face: At advanced stages, generalized tooth wear reduces bite height, shortening the distance between the nose and chin. This makes the face look older and can also lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.

Serious complications if tooth wear is left untreated

Ignoring the signs of tooth wear can lead to serious oral health problems and far more costly treatments in the long run:

• Increased risk of tooth decay: Enamel is the hardest protective layer of the body. When it becomes thin, cavity-causing bacteria can easily attack the softer dentin underneath, leading to large cavities.
• Pulpitis and dental abscess: If tooth wear progresses to the pulp (which contains nerves and blood vessels), it may cause irreversible pulpitis, resulting in severe pain. Without timely treatment, the infection can spread to the root tip, forming an abscess and potentially requiring tooth extraction.
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Changes in bite alignment caused by tooth wear place uneven pressure on the jaw joints. This can result in symptoms such as jaw pain, muscle fatigue, clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth, and even headaches.
• Facial aesthetic changes: As mentioned earlier, the loss of vertical dimension can cause the face to appear “collapsed.” Wrinkles around the mouth deepen, significantly affecting facial aesthetics and self-confidence.

How to prevent tooth wear

Prevention is always better than treatment. You can proactively protect your smile by following these steps:

• Address underlying medical issues: If you suffer from acid reflux (GERD), consult your physician for proper treatment. If you grind your teeth (bruxism), visit your dentist for advice and consider wearing a protective night guard.
• Adjust your diet: Limit the intake of acidic and sugary foods and drinks. Rinse your mouth with plain water immediately afterward. Avoid sipping acidic beverages over a long period of time.
• Improve oral hygiene techniques: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste with low abrasiveness. Brush gently in circular motions. Important: wait at least 30–60 minutes after consuming acidic food or drinks before brushing, so enamel has time to re-mineralize.
• Eliminate harmful habits: Stop biting your nails, chewing on pens, opening bottle caps with your teeth, or chewing ice cubes.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups: Visiting your dentist every six months helps detect early signs of tooth wear and ensures timely intervention before the condition becomes severe.

Effective treatment methods for tooth wear

Depending on the severity and underlying causes of tooth wear, your dentist will recommend an appropriate treatment plan:

• Composite fillings: For mild wear or small defects at the tooth neck, tooth-colored composite material can be used to rebuild the structure, reduce sensitivity, and protect the remaining tooth.
• Veneers, inlays/onlays, or crowns: When a larger amount of tooth structure has been lost, porcelain restorations such as veneers, onlays, or crowns are used to cover and protect the tooth. Veneers are especially suitable for teeth with worn front surfaces, as they enhance aesthetics while stabilizing the bite.
• Occlusal adjustment or orthodontic treatment: If wear is caused by bite misalignment, the dentist may adjust contact points or recommend braces to reposition the teeth. This helps distribute biting forces evenly and reduces stress on the jaw joints.
• Full mouth rehabilitation: In severe cases where extensive wear reduces the vertical dimension of the bite, a comprehensive treatment plan is required to rebuild the entire occlusion. This approach restores both aesthetics and function, while ensuring long-term bite stability and preventing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues such as jaw fatigue or discomfort.

Veneer solution for worn and shortened teeth

When teeth wear down – especially the front teeth – they not only become shorter but also make the smile look “older,” less vibrant, and out of harmony with the face. In such cases, porcelain veneers are considered the ultimate aesthetic solution, restoring the natural beauty of your smile quickly and with minimal invasiveness.

Maximum preservation of natural tooth structure

This is the greatest advantage. Compared to crowns, veneer application requires only a very thin layer of enamel to be reduced on the front surface – or in many cases, no reduction at all – helping preserve the healthy natural tooth as much as possible.

Flawless and natural aesthetics

High-quality porcelain has translucency and light-reflecting properties similar to natural enamel, creating a lifelike beauty that makes it nearly impossible for others to notice any cosmetic intervention.

Quick and efficient

The veneer process usually takes only 2–3 appointments to complete, giving you a rejuvenated smile in a short time.

Long-lasting durability

With proper care, porcelain veneers can maintain their beauty and function for many years.

This solution is not just a dental restoration – it is truly an art of smile design, giving you back the confidence that tooth wear may have taken away.

The Journey to a Perfect Smile with Platinum Dental

Enhancing your smile is not just about changing your appearance – it is a journey of elevating confidence and quality of life. At Platinum Dental, we understand this and are committed to accompanying you with the highest standards of care and refined precision:

• Personalized smile design with DSD technology: By applying Digital Smile Design (DSD), every smile is carefully conceptualized and simulated to match your facial proportions and personal style, delivering results that are natural, harmonious, and unique.
• Highly specialized and experienced doctors: Treatments are performed directly by leading cosmetic dentists, professionally trained in France, Canada, and Spain, who always place artistry and safety as top priorities.
• Premium porcelain materials – certified and biocompatible: We use porcelain sourced from Europe and the U.S., ensuring natural color, long-lasting durability, and optimal compatibility with the body.
• No-prep/minimal-prep techniques – maximum preservation of natural teeth: With modern technology, many cases can be treated without tooth reduction, minimizing invasiveness and discomfort.
• Painless, sensitivity-free experience: All procedures are carried out in a sterile environment, with meticulous craftsmanship and optimized protocols, ensuring comfort from the very first visit.
• Transparent warranty policy: At Platinum, we don’t just give you a beautiful smile – we commit to long-term care with a clear warranty and attentive follow-up support.

What Do Clients Say About Platinum Dental?

David Son

“At first, I was quite hesitant because getting a full set of Veneers is a big decision. I wanted my teeth to look even and beautiful, but they also had to remain natural without looking fake or obvious. After being introduced by friends, I came to Platinum Dental and was truly impressed. The doctors here gave very clear, detailed advice and carefully measured every small detail so that the color and shape matched my facial structure. The process was gentle, painless, and comfortable, yet the results exceeded my expectations.”

Nguyễn Mỹ Linh

“I always wanted a brighter and younger-looking smile. Thanks to Platinum Dental, that dream came true in just 3 days. I received professional consultation on tooth shade that matched my skin tone and style, and the final result made me genuinely happy. My smile is now not only radiant but also gives me confidence and energy every single day.”

Tuyền Nguyễn

“I have been with Platinum Dental throughout my orthodontic journey, and once that was completed, I chose to continue with Veneers here to perfect my smile. From consultation to the actual procedure, everything was precise and professional. The doctor listened carefully to my wishes and designed the shape and shade of my teeth to suit my face while still looking naturally real. Now, I not only have straight, beautiful teeth but also a bright, confident smile.”

Don’t let tooth wear affect your health and quality of life! Contact Platinum Dental Group today and let our top specialists provide the most suitable solution for you. Start your journey to reclaim a radiant, confident smile that is truly your own!

Platinum Dental Group

Clinic Locations:

📍Platinum Dental Central: 127 Nguyen Cu Trinh Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

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