Restorative Dentistry

Tooth Wear

The dental team at Taylored Dental Care are committed to educate patients about improving oral health by avoiding tooth wear from dental erosion, attrition and abrasion.

Diet, a leading cause of dental erosion

Poor diet mainly contributes to dental erosion. Acids found in fizzy drinks, alcohol and certain fruit juices increases the acidity of saliva in the mouth that erodes tooth enamel, wearing down dental structures.

By avoiding such beverages or moderating consumption, the acid levels of saliva may remain at a healthier level and not cause as much damage to teeth. Our dental hygienist can help you learn more about nutrition for improving oral health.

Teeth grinding, a contributor to dental attrition

Some of us grind our teeth during the day when anxious without even realizing we are doing it. We may unconsciously grind or clench our teeth together at night while we sleep. Teeth grinding or Bruxism occurs when one tooth forcibly grinds against another, damaging the tooth cusps.

It is important to prevent dental attrition and tooth wear resulting from teeth grinding by wearing of a mouth guard if necessary. We can give you more information about dental mouth guards.

Habits resulting in Dental Abrasion

At some point every one of us has mindlessly used our teeth as a tool to cut string, cotton or tape. We may love to wear tongue or lip jewellery that comes in contact with our teeth.

We may chew excessively hard foods, bite hard nut shells or ice between our teeth. Some of us have never learned proper teeth brushing technique that damages our teeth. Such habits, if avoided will prevent dental abrasion from wearing teeth.

Worn or damaged teeth may be restored with white fillings, dental composite, inlays, onlays and crowns.

Sleep Clench Inhibitor

Bruxism (from the Greek βρυγμός (brygmós), “gnashing of teeth”) is a disorder that affects up to 80% of the population at some point during their lives.

Bruxism is the grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw that causes tooth wear, breakages, Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (pain and limited movement of the jaw joint), migraines and headache.

Both children and adults are affected and is most common in adults over 25 year old. Most people grind and/or clench their teeth occasionally and is usually worse during stressful periods.

There are many dental appliances available to patients, for many years full horse shoe shape of acrylic such as Michigan Splints have been more commonly used.

More recently the introduction of smaller splints such as the SCi has proven to be extremely successful for reducing symptoms caused by tooth grinding and clenching.

The SCi is the most clinically effective FDA cleared treatment for Tempero-Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD), bruxism, and medically diagnosed migraines.