Chicago Dentist - Causes of Tooth Wear

CAUSES OF TOOTH WEAR

The following substances can cause overall corrosion of the enamel:

• Fruits and fruit juices containing citric acid (lemons, oranges, bananas, etc.)
• Carbonated drinks (both diet and regular)
• Chewable vitamin C, aspirin, or iron tablets
• Vinegar
• Sucking on lemons
• Abrasive toothpastes, some of which are marketed for whitening teeth and/or removing stains on teeth
• Repeated vomiting from bulimia or chronic alcoholishm
• Refluxed gastric acids from hiatus hernia
• Exposure to industrial acids
• Hydrochloric acid used to treat achlorhydria, a condition in which there is either no or a reduced secretion of gastric acids

Tips:

• Instead of drinking from a glass, use a straw to suck up acidic drinks or medicines to reduce their contact with the teeth.
• Use regular tablets that can be swallowed instead of chewable tablets when taking vitamins or aspirin.

The following can cause notches or grooves in the teeth:

• Habitual biting on pipe stems, pins, tacks, toothpicks, etc.
• Improper use of floss, interproximal brushes, toothbrushes

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