bruxism,

CAUSES
Abrasion: hard tooth brush, scrubbing. Abrasive tooth pastes, high RDA. Try the foil test, rub t.p onto foil with finger, ++ scratches mean >R.D.H.

EROSION: Acid erosion, diet/drinks, less sugar, still acidic. Dissolved a decidous tooth in diet coke, 10days. Acid reflux, involuntary, mainly on backs of upper dentiton, due to GERD, stomach disorders, Crohns disease. Apperance ‘smooth scooped.

BRUXISM/ATTRITION; Involuntary actions, gradually wearing down the tooth surface. Dementia, complex needs, Downes syndrome, Autism.

How does it occur, by wearing enamel away, exposing dentine, which is served by nerve fibres, casing sensitivity.

Why do elderly peiple sometimes have less sensitivity? The pulp chamber supplying the dentinie tubules , shrinks, and therefore demplenishes the nerve supply.

PREVENTION/MANAGEMENT.

Correction of O.H, softer tooth brush, less abrasive tooth paste. Diet adjustments.

Desensitising T.P,s, Fluoride T.P,s. F.M.W;s. In house Fluoride application.