Do you know what the hardest part of your body is? You may think your skull, or maybe even your femur, but if that’s what you think, you are wrong.
In fact, the hardest substance in the human body is tooth enamel.
While tooth enamel is strong, it is quite fragile, which is why taking care of your teeth is so important. There are certain habits, foods, and practices that can cause damage to our tooth enamel.
For example, chewing on ice or biting into a popcorn kernel are two of the most common things we do that causes damage to our enamel. Additionally, chewing on your nails and having mouth jewelry are also common causes of damaged enamel.
Other things that can damage tooth enamel include fruits that contain a large amount of citric acid, chewing on pens or pencils, poor dental hygiene habits, and more!
However, the most common cause of damaged tooth enamel is bruxism. Bruxism is the act of frequently grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. When your teeth are worn down due to bruxism, this is termed attrition. If your attrition is severe enough, your root dentin will become exposed, causing extreme sensitivity and some discoloration. In addition to damaging your teeth, grinding and clenching can damage the ligaments in your jaw and alveolar bone.
If left untreated, bruxism can even cause periodontal disease to develop. This would be in addition to tooth discoloration, sensitivity, and an increase in decay.
Need an Appointment?
Contact Dr. Lechner and his team at their office in Delaware, OH. If you are suffering from sleep bruxism, a bite guard may help relieve your condition. By giving your teeth and jaw a place to rest, a bite guard can help save your teeth and keep them healthy.
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