I have erosion of my teeth at the gumline. My dentist said it is from brushing too hard, but I don’t agree with him; mostly because I know I don’t brush my teeth very hard. What else could be the cause?
Amelia L. — Idaho
It was believed for many years that the notches on your teeth by the gumline were a result of brushing too hard. However, recent studies have shown that bruxism is a larger cause of that type of erosion. Bruxism is part of an overall TMJ problem. In these cases, it is the result of clenching or grinding your teeth.
That causes weaknesses at the neck of the tooth, which is where you’re probably seeing the notches. You need to see a TMJ specialist and have them look at your teeth.
This blog is brought to you by Seattle Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Brian McKay.
