Teeth are very strong and durable and as long as we practice good at-home oral hygiene and visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and exams, it’s possible for our teeth to last us a lifetime. However, tooth wear is a natural and expected part of aging. But there are ways to keep your teeth strong and healthy for as long as possible.
Avoiding Premature Tooth Wear
There are a few things that can speed up the damage of your teeth. Below are a few common reasons why the teeth may begin to wear abnormally and how to prevent these from occurring:
- Bruxism – Bruxism is the nighttime grinding and clenching of the teeth, usually caused by stress. Bruxism can cause the teeth to grind into each other, wearing down the enamel and prematurely damaging the teeth. Luckily, wearing a night guard to bed can manage the symptoms of bruxism.
- Gum Recession – Gum recession can cause the loss of enamel at the gum line, which is known as abfraction. Proper oral hygiene and taking extra measures to avoid gum disease and gingivitis can lower the risk of gum recession and abfraction from occurring.
- Bad Habits – If you have a habit of biting your fingernails, chewing on pens or pencils, or using your teeth as tools, you may be damaging the enamel. Breaking these habits is a great way to protect your teeth from abnormal wear and tear.
- Acidic Diets – Having a diet high in acidic foods and beverages can damage the tooth enamel and speed up tooth wear. In order to combat this issue, we suggest eating acidic foods sparingly, avoiding drinking soda, and brushing after highly acidic meals.
Here at Littleton Implants & Periodontics, we want you to benefit from having healthy teeth for as long as possible. If you have concerns about your gum health or if you believe it may be time to look into dental implants, please don’t hesitate to contact our Littleton, Colorado office today.