Dental abrasion

Dental abrasion is loss of tooth tissue caused by mechanical wear from an external object, such as abrasive brushing or repeated contact with an appliance.

Tooth wear: Tooth wear is the gradual loss of dental hard tissue through physical or chemical processes. Abrasion is one of the main forms of tooth wear.
Toothbrushing: Toothbrushing is the cleaning of teeth with a brush to remove plaque and debris. Forceful brushing, especially with abrasive toothpaste, can contribute to tissue loss.
Abfraction: Abfraction is a proposed form of cervical tooth-tissue loss attributed to stresses that flex the tooth. It can resemble abrasion near the gumline but is linked to a different proposed mechanism.
Tooth wear index: A tooth wear index is a clinical scoring system for recording the extent of tooth-surface loss. Consistent scoring helps track abrasion, though it may not identify its cause.
Dental attrition: Dental attrition is tooth-tissue loss caused by direct contact between opposing teeth. Unlike abrasion, attrition comes from tooth-to-tooth contact.
Toothpaste: Toothpaste is a dentifrice used with a toothbrush to clean teeth and deliver ingredients such as fluoride. Its abrasive particles can affect how much tooth tissue brushing removes.
Bruxism: Bruxism is repetitive jaw-muscle activity involving clenching or grinding of the teeth. Grinding can cause attrition, unlike external-object abrasion.
Dental epidemiology: Dental epidemiology studies the distribution and causes of oral diseases and conditions in populations. Population studies examine how brushing habits and other exposures relate to tooth wear.
Dental erosion: Dental erosion is the chemical loss of tooth tissue caused by acids not produced by oral bacteria. Acid dissolves tissue in erosion; external objects wear it away in abrasion.
Gingival recession: Gingival recession is the displacement of the gum margin away from the crown of a tooth, exposing its root. Exposed root surfaces are less protected and can be vulnerable to abrasion.

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