Maggok Dental Clinic: Are Teeth Looking Longer Due to Aging? I Want to Know the Causes and Treatment Methods

Hello

Today as well, from Magok Dental Clinic, which dreams of everyone’s beautiful smile,

we send our greetings.

Have you ever looked in the mirror recently and thought,

“Wait, do my teeth look longer?”

Or perhaps it would be good to think back and see whether

someone in your family or among your acquaintances

has had a similar case.

When you look closely in the mirror,

the ends of the teeth may seem as if they have

been worn into a V or U shape.

When you actually touch them, you may feel a sunken groove.

The color may also look more yellow than before,

and they may feel a little loose.

At first, you may think, “It’s not hurting right now,

so I’ll just go to the clinic later~” but while eating ice cream

or drinking a beverage as usual, if you suddenly felt a sharp twinge

in your teeth, have you ever experienced that?

It would be good to pay attention to today’s post.

That is because symptoms like these may indicate

the possibility of cervical abrasion.

From here on, let’s look at what this condition is,

why it happens, and how it should be managed.

Isn’t it just something that naturally happens as you get older?

Many people may think this way,

but that is not necessarily true.

Lifestyle habits and whether oral hygiene is properly managed

can also be causes,

so if it is cervical abrasion, it may simply appear

as if the tooth has been worn down, but if it is left untreated,

various negative effects can occur.

Magok Dental Clinic will explain this part in detail.

The tooth is structurally divided into the part that protrudes

outside the gum and the part inside it.

The point where these two meet is called the tooth cervical area.

And non-carious lesions in which enamel loss occurs at this point

are called cervical abrasion.

This area has a thin enamel layer and is covered,

so it tends to be vulnerable to external stimulation.

At the early stage of loss, the symptoms are mild,

but as the enamel layer gradually wears away and dentin

becomes exposed, various discomforts can arise,

and at this time tooth sensitivity appears.

The worn area often takes on a V- or U-shaped form,

and at a glance it can even make the teeth seem longer.

So what is the real cause?

It can be broadly classified into four causes.

Magok Dental Clinic will summarize them.

1️⃣

First, there is improper toothbrushing.

Brushing too hard or using a stiff toothbrush with rough bristles

can transmit excessive force and promote enamel destruction,

and if you have a habit of grinding your teeth

or clenching your jaw, excessive pressure can be applied,

so it is best to improve these habits.

2️⃣

The second cause is the kinds of foods you usually consume.

Acidic foods and drinks such as carbonated beverages or fruit juice,

as well as things like acid reflux, can make teeth wear down faster.

Likewise, vinegar and wine can also have an effect,

and we would like to note that people who experience

acid reflux or vomit frequently may also see this condition progress.

3️⃣

If your bite is misaligned or the teeth do not fit together properly,

excessive pressure may be placed on certain areas.

This can also be considered one of the reasons

this condition develops.

In addition, as mentioned above, pressure on specific areas

can also occur not only due to malocclusion but also when a person

unconsciously grinds their teeth during sleep

or clenches them tightly.

4️⃣

As many people think, with age,

natural gum recession and tooth sensitivity

can appear as part of aging.

If disease-related factors are added at this time,

the progression can become faster.

What problems can occur if it is left untreated?

First, the structure can become weakened.

As the surface enamel gradually wears away,

dentin may be exposed,

and this layer is less hard and less acid-resistant than enamel.

If it is left untreated despite these signs,

the worn groove may become even deeper.

Tooth sensitivity may also appear,

and as the gums gradually recede, the periodontal tissue weakens

and can even lead to alveolar bone loss, so prompt treatment is better.

Also, these worn grooves can harm appearance,

leading to cosmetic concerns and reduced confidence,

and they may even lead to various complications. How can it be treated?

This is the time to look at treatment methods,

and Magok Dental Clinic will introduce four main ones.

First, I will explain the resin restoration method.

When the wear is mild, the worn area can be filled

with composite resin,

and because materials similar to the original natural tooth are used,

it can also be very helpful aesthetically.

In addition, it is good for relieving further wear of the gums

and sensitive tooth discomfort.

However, when the condition is severe and structural loss has occurred,

crown restoration is performed using ceramic or zirconia materials.

This can cover and protect the entire tooth

and help restore bite function.

If there is a problem with malocclusion,

orthodontic treatment is used,

and for those with severe teeth-grinding issues,

using anti-grinding devices such as a splint

can also be considered.

What is important at this time is to accurately determine

why the gums started wearing down and to implement the right

improvement methods to prevent recurrence. Then how should it be prevented?

Magok Dental Clinic will explain preventive methods that can be practiced

in daily life.

✅

First, we recommend proper brushing.

It is best to brush gently with a soft toothbrush

and appropriate pressure, as if drawing circles.

Compared with rubbing hard side to side,

the method above is more recommended.

In addition, removing tartar and plaque stuck between teeth

through the use of interdental brushes or dental floss

is essential.

✅

For those with unstable bites, it is good to distribute the load

and prevent localized recession in advance through orthodontic treatment.

Also, as mentioned earlier,

if you have a habit of grinding your teeth, use a prevention device,

and because grinding may worsen when you are under too much stress in daily life,

properly managing this part can also greatly help protect periodontal tissue.

✅

We recommend limiting the intake of snacks such as carbonated beverages

and fruit juice.

Of course, it is difficult to avoid them completely,

so along with the brushing habits mentioned above,

we recommend using an oral rinse.

✅

It may sound obvious, but quitting smoking and drinking is essential.

These can not only cause periodontal disease,

but also worsen periodontitis,

so we strongly recommend stopping them.

✅

Regular checkups are recommended every 6 months to 1 year.

This is a way to make early detection and prevention easier,

so if you receive scaling according to this schedule,

you can create a healthier oral environment.

Let’s summarize today’s content.

Cervical abrasion is a disease in which the gradual loss of enamel and dentin

causes tooth sensitivity and structural weakening,

and it occurs through the combined action of various factors

such as aging, hygiene management, and diet.

If it is left untreated for a long time,

it can cause greater pain and aesthetic problems,

so it is best to respond quickly at an early stage.

I hope today’s post was very helpful to many people.

This concludes the content prepared by Magok Dental Clinic.

Thank you to everyone who read this long post.

I hope everyone has a peaceful and good day~