What is Toothbrush Abrasion?
Many of my patients are surprised when I tell them that incorrect use of their toothbrush has caused toothbrush abrasion. Aggressive scrubbing, together with the use of a hard bristle toothbrush, can cause tooth enamel and dentine to wear away, producing a V-shaped notch in the tooth as well as gum recession. Affected areas appear shiny, yellow/brown and worn at the neck of the tooth. Patients often report tooth sensitivity and feel they can click their nail over the developing notch in their tooth.
As the tooth enamel wears away, dentine exposure occurs. Dentine carries nerve endings, which, once stimulated by the cold or sweet, becomes sensitive. This sensitivity, although only transient, is unlikely to resolve itself. Sometimes the use of a sensitive toothpaste can help, but if the dentine is continually scrubbed away, the sensitivity will reappear.
Under very extreme circumstances, the loss of dentine in that area of the root can potentially cause exposure of the nerve, resulting in the need for root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth.
The consequences of toothbrush abrasion may be exacerbated by abnormal functioning of the teeth such as grinding or clenching.
Teeth most commonly affected by this are found on the right side of a right-handed person or the left side of a left-handed person.
Case Study
The patient pictured below is 42 years old and reported tooth sensitivity as well as notches in her teeth. She was using a hard bristle brush with a scrubbing motion over many years. The uneven surfaces of the lower left first molar in this case, has faciliated the build up of more plaque, resulting in decay. Whilst it is not possible to regenerate new tooth and gum tissue, we decided to place some tooth coloured restorations on the affected lesions, aiming to reduce sensitivity, protect the underying dentine from further wear and restore the tooth with it original anatomy. Additionally, the patient was very happy with such an aesthetic outcome.
At Concord Dental Practice, we aim to identify conditions, such as toothbrush abrasion early before it becomes a problem. During a comprehensive new patient examination, we will take photographic records of your teeth. If tooth wear and abrasion is noted, then the photos will allow us to monitor any change over time and formulate a plan for early interceptive treatment.