Attrition & Reminieralisation of Teeth

Encorus

Can remineralisation of teeth compensate for attrition? I'm somewhat grinding my teeth at night as a result probably of an orthondontal treatment I'm going through (with rubber bands). I'm afraid that I'm wearing the tooth enamel down as a result. I was wondering if toothpastes like Arm & Hammer Liquid Calcium which promote teeth reminearilisation can help to compensate for any damage done to the teeth as a result of attrition? Or does remineralisation only compensate against erosion but not against attrition? Does remineralisation help by making my teeth stronger, and so less susceptible for attrition damage, or does it actually help in rebuilding some of the enamel surface lost?

ballsymchugh

no, you can only remineralise what's there. if the enamel is gone through attrition, erosion or abrasion, then it's gone.

remineralising occurs when the enamel is made weaker through decay can revert through application of fluoride or calcium from your saliva (before it gets too deep).

with decay, think of a trellis with the holes filled with sand. the sand can wear away but the trellis framework stays ok. then you refill the sand (application of fluoride/remineralisation from saliva) before too much damage is done to the framework. if you leave it too long, then the trellis breaks down and you need a filling.

in toothwear, the trellis breaks down anyway.

bureau2009

To what extent do our teeth wear down with age? At what age might this become a problem?

Or can you make your teeth last a lifetime with good dental care?

ballsymchugh

bureau2009 wrote: »

To what extent do our teeth wear down with age? At what age might this become a problem?

Or can you make your teeth last a lifetime with good dental care?

answer to the first part, it depends on the patient. it's not universal

2nd part - yes. i've seen plenty of people in their 80's with good healthy teeth, in the same day as seeing people in their 20s who had dentures.