Why are my teeth chipping at the gumline?

Question:

About a month ago I noticed that there was a rough spot near the gumline of one of my teeth. I looked closer and it was a little chip in my tooth. I had just been to the dentist a few weeks before and thought that maybe he accidently chipped it. Then a few more weeks passed and I noticed 2 more teeth with chips in them at the gumline. Now I'm starting to freak out. Earlier today I found yet another chip in a different tooth. And my front teeth feel like they're numb, or like there's some sort of pressure on them.

More background.I started wearing a mouthgard at night 2 months ago because my dentist said I was grinding my teeth at night. It's called "The Dentist's Mouthgard" or something like that. I'm 24 years old, had braces when I was in high school, and regularly go to the dentist.

Answers:
I'm a dental hygienist. If your teeth are chipping at the gumline, that is called an abfraction lesion caused by clenching or grinding your teeth. It will look and feel like a notched out area similar to how a tree trunk looks after you have taken an axe to it if that makes sense. You may have had these areas for awhile and just didn't notice them. This happens because when you grind or clench, you tooth microscopically flexes and the dentinal tubules break (the stuff that makes up the root of the tooth) and you are left with a notch at the gumline. The only way to fix them is with a filling or if the areas aren't too bad but you've had some recession of the gums, then a graft will work, too. Now, with that said, sometimes people have calculus or "tartar" on their teeth that breaks off and people get alarmed because they think their teeth broke. I would think that your dentist would have been able to tell you that if that were the case/.

I doubt a mouthgard would cause this sort of damage, I don't know if it might be a latent response from the braces. But I would see someone about it.

sounds like it might be from the grinding and excessive pressure your jaw is putting on your teeth when you grind.

make sure you are not brushing your gums harshly, this will erode them and expose your teeth more at the gums.

I don't know...but it is very important yhay you go to a good dentist immediately...as in excellent vs. just ok...

Have you had your teeth cleaned lately,you may be losinng emamel.You might try a calcuim tablet or change your diet to include more dairy.Is this your regular dentists?And yes in spite of what you are told all mouth gards have the potiental to cause teeth damage.I don't think I helped much,good luck on your next checkup,but if this keeps up I would definetly go back and no wait too long.

Why are my teeth chipping at the gumline?

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