Causes
The awareness of tooth wear has increased markedly over recent years. Much of
this is linked to changes in diet and oral care.
1. Teeth are lasting longer
Increased success by dentistry in the control of caries and periodontal diseases
has extended the longevity of the natural dentition. Healthier unrestored teeth
are exposed for longer to the gradual processes of everyday wear.
2. The modern diet paradox
Modern diets are often rich in acids from a wide range of sources. Notably, many
fruits, fruit juices and wine
- have a low pH, sufficient to soften and demineralise enamel surfaces at
approx pH 5.5 and below, and dentine at pH 6.5 and below, depending upon other
factors such as titratable acidity, and calcium, phosphate and fluoride
content.
Acid temporarily softens the surface of the enamel. It is a process normally
mitigated by the natural action of saliva due to the presence of calcium, but
frequent or prolonged acidic encounters leave less time for remineralisation to
occur. In this weakened state, surface enamel is prone to wear from the abrasive action
of toothpaste and tooth brushing.