Tooth Wear

With proper care, your teeth can last a lifetime. But a small amount of wear as we age is considered normal. By “wear,” we mean loss of tooth structure. Wear starts with loss of the hard, translucent enamel that forms the outer covering of teeth, and might, in more serious cases, progress to the softer inner tooth structure known as dentin. Enamel is actually the human body's hardest substance. It is highly mineralized and non-living, in contrast to bone and dentin which are living tissues. Enamel is highly resistant to wear and chemical attack, as it should be to be given what your teeth do every day: bite, chew, and come in contact with acidic foods and drinks. Still, it is common for enamel to wear down for various reasons. But …