Tooth wear – a silent risk to the modern generation
Severe tooth wear is becoming more prevalent. Some of this is because people are living longer and tooth wear naturally progresses over the years.
The 2009 Adult Dental Health Surveys highlighted a trend toward increasing tooth-wear which has got 10% worse over the last 11 years.
Of particular concern are the 16-34 year olds. Much of the increase here seems to be related to poor drink choice (carbonated/fruit juices) and eating healthy food too frequently (!) (such as a lot of citrus fruit), Eating disorders and stress-related bruxism (tooth grinding). Citric acid in fruit and fizzy drinks is very good at loosening enamel.
Once the enamel (outer coat of the tooth) is breached, the dentine wears SEVEN times faster!
To help reduce the rate of tooth wear consider the following:
- Avoid fizzy drinks – it is alright to make your own with fizzy water and sugar-free squash (e.g. tooth-kind Ribena)
- Try to avoid citrus fruits and eat them with food (not between meals)
- Consider a night guard if you grind your teeth
- Consider getting any exposed dentine covered over by your dentist
