Is Having A Rough Tooth Surface A Problem?

Many of us have teeth that are not as smooth as they once were. What are the reasons for this and should we be concerned?

Before you read today’s blog, please take a minute and run your tongue along the front surface and edges of your teeth. If they are very smooth, well done, you are obviously either young or have taken very good care of your teeth with good quality cleaning. If you notice however, that they are quite rough, this isn’t something that should be ignored. While having a rough tooth surface may not be immediately urgent, it is something that you should discuss with one of our Bedford dentists for reasons that we will see in a minute.

Let us take a look first at some of the potential reasons why your tooth surface might not be smooth, along with a look at some of the potential problems.

Tartar build up

Our mouths contain millions of bacteria and when this combines with saliva and food, it forms a thin layer of biofilm which sticks to our teeth. This is known as plaque. In itself, this isn’t a problem if we brush our teeth well to remove it. Unfortunately, some of it is likely to remain and this can form a hardened crust known as tartar. This can’t be removed by brushing alone and needs a scale and polish procedure which is carried out by the hygienist.

Aside from the way that our mouth feels, the rough surface created by the tartar not only attracts staining foodstuffs that stick to it, gradually reducing the whiteness of our teeth, but additional bacteria too. This can increase the risk of tooth decay if allowed to progress too far. Tartar build up is also a significant factor in the development of gum disease.

Worn tooth enamel

Our teeth are strong but they can wear down in a number of ways. Acid erosion is one way and we will look at that separately. There are ‘manual’ causes of worn tooth enamel too though. This includes a mallocclusion where the teeth don’t meet as they should. This can cause wear in some areas of the teeth. Similarly, if you are a teeth grinder (bruxism), it is likely that you will be wearing down the teeth quite significantly.

The main issues here are a) the instant damage that can be done by grinding teeth. In more severe cases, this can cause the teeth to break or crack. If you are aware that you do this, you should talk to us about it at The Dental Centre Bedford.  Also b) worn enamel can expose the layer beneath it which is more porous. This can allow bacteria to enter and eventually cause tooth decay or root canal infections.

Early tooth decay

If you have small rough patches on the tooth surface, it could possibly be the start of a formation of a cavity. If this is not addressed, tooth decay may well follow. Please mention this to your dentist if you notice this.

Cracked and chipped teeth

A cracked tooth might be noticeable when you run your tongue over it but you might not notice it otherwise. While some cracks are purely surface only and don’t really affect you other from an aesthetic perspective, some cracks might be deeper and more problematic. As mentioned before, these cracks can expose the dentin beneath the enamel and allow bacteria to enter and cause tooth decay, and potentially a bad toothache as well. If the root canals become infected, you will need to undergo a root canal procedure in order to save the tooth.

Acid erosion

This is something that we are seeing more of, as are dentists throughout the UK. This seems largely to be caused by the increased consumption of acidic and fizzy soft drinks and especially ‘energy’ drinks. As this comes into contact with the teeth, it starts to erode them and can become a significant problem quite quickly. While some of this can be reduced by drinking through a straw, it is better to stop or cut down on your consumption of these and to mainly rely on water instead.

Acid erosion may lead to tooth decay, but also to sensitive teeth. This can make eating some hot or cold food and drinks very painful indeed. Even breathing in cold air can be an issue too. Teeth affected in this way can often be restored by cosmetic bonding or by fitting cosmetic veneers.

Surface staining

Finally, some food products such as soya sauce, coffee and red wine can leave deposits on your teeth (especially if they are already rough). While this might not create a problem in itself, it can certainly spoil your smile by replacing your white smile with a discoloured one! In most cases, a teeth whitening procedure should reverse this effect, but for more significant cases, such as those caused by smoking, dental veneers are likely to be a better solution.

If you ran your tongue on your teeth before reading this and found some roughness, we recommend that you contact us for a check up. It might not be anything serious, but if it is potentially damaging, it is better to do something about it now rather than leave it until a tooth becomes damaged or you are in pain from a toothache.

To arrange to see one of our dentists, please call The Dental Centre Bedford today on 01234 819868.