Why teeth crumble - causes and methods of treatment

Author of the article: Gadzhiev Ruslan Abasovich

Doctor-expert

Specialization: Dentist-therapist

Total work experience: since 2011

Reading time: 7-8 minutes

Tooth decay in general, and crumbling in particular, is not an aesthetic problem. In some cases, decaying teeth can be the result of not only dental, but also other types of diseases. To understand the topic and know why teeth crumble, what to do and which doctor to contact, you need to study all the important details.

Why teeth crumble - the main reasons and factors

Various types of tooth decay can be influenced by natural, mechanical and other factors. Sometimes this is a consequence of the neglect of some dental problem, and in other cases it is the result of the appearance of common diseases. Conventionally, all factors that can cause tooth decay are divided into three groups:

External
:
Temperature
. The temperature of the foods you eat directly affects the condition of your teeth. Excessively hot or very cold dishes lead to the appearance of microcracks through which pathogenic bacteria penetrate, causing destruction/crumbling.
Chemical exposure
. Concentrated chemicals negatively affect the health of enamel. For example, its protective properties are significantly weakened by regular consumption of sour citrus fruits.
Improper oral hygiene
. This can be either individually incorrectly selected teeth cleaning products or irregular hygiene procedures. As a result, there is an accumulation of microbes that are destructive and will inevitably cause a number of diseases, including gums.
Domestic
:
Unbalanced diet
. In this case, a real chain reaction is triggered - the lack of a well-structured diet leads to metabolic disorders, resulting in a lack of useful vitamins and microelements necessary to strengthen the gums and enamel. As a result, for example, if teeth crumble, the reasons are a lack of fluoride and calcium and, as a consequence, thinning of dentin.
Hormonal instability
. Disruption of the endocrine system is one of the reasons for the development of caries, and its appearance is the first step towards tooth destruction.
Regular use of drugs
. Some therapeutic procedures and medications reduce the intensity of saliva production, which, accordingly, leads to negative consequences.
Chronic diseases
. Weakened immunity, for example, due to diagnosed oncology, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. always negatively affects the condition of the teeth.
Vitamin deficiency
. To maintain healthy teeth, gums and the oral cavity in general, a person must consume sufficient quantities of vitamins B, C, E and D. Their absence in the diet or the inability to fully absorb them can lead to crumbling.
Bad habits
:
biting third-party objects, for example, a pen/pencil, thread, wire, etc. (leads to mechanical damage);
bruxism (night grinding of teeth leads to their abrasion and destruction);
frequent consumption of drinks that affect enamel pigmentation (for example, coffee, red wine, carbonated drinks with artificial food colors);
frequent whitening using folk remedies (increases sensitivity, has a detrimental effect on teeth in general);
smoking (weakens the immune system and reduces the absorption of vitamins, which can cause vitamin deficiency).

The reason why teeth crumble may be one or several of the factors listed above. Be prepared that in order to solve the problem you will have to contact not only the dentist, but also reconsider your lifestyle, nutritional culture and oral hygiene habits.

Reasons why teeth crumble

Factors contributing to the problem include:

advanced caries;
fluorosis;
erosion;
bruxism;
genetic predisposition;
harmful working conditions and unfavorable environmental conditions.

Let's look at each reason in more detail.

Caries

The most common dental disease. It occurs as a result of a violation of the mineral composition of the enamel. It is believed to be caused by streptococci, which belong to the cariogenic category.

First, plaque is deposited on the enamel. Pathogenic bacteria begin to actively multiply in it. Their waste products reduce the stability of the natural dental coating . The mineral substances that protect the unit seem to dissolve. An “open” area appears. It is on top of it that a carious cavity is formed. The larger it is, the higher the risk of chipping off part of the crown.

It happens that a person does not see a carious cavity, but the teeth crumble precisely because of it. How is this possible? It's all about the disease, which occurs in the form of a chalky spot. Then only a doctor can notice that something is wrong. A person, unknowingly, faces the consequences of the disease - a destroyed fang, molar or incisor.

Fluorosis

Another reason why teeth began to become stained. It is an endemic dental disease. It is usually diagnosed in patients living in regions with high levels of fluoride in water.

Until now, the mechanism of development of this pathology has not been fully studied. Scientists suggest that at the stage of development of tooth germs, excess fluoride in the human body is converted into fluorapatite. Normally, enamel should be formed under the influence of hydroxyapatite.

Fluorapatite is very fragile. It does not withstand mechanical loads well and wears out quickly. The fact that there is a tendency to fluorosis can be understood already at the stage of changing the primary dentition to a permanent one. Then the child starts teething, covered with dark spots. Abnormal lesions are usually localized symmetrically relative to each other.

If treatment measures are not taken in time, dark spots will turn into a fragile tooth surface. Then it will no longer be possible to prevent cracking of the crown.

Erosion of teeth

Variant of non-carious lesion. When examining the patient’s oral cavity, the doctor records defective areas on the enamel and dentin, located directly on the vestibular surface of the unit.

With erosion, too, not everything is completely clear. In particular, it is not clear why they appear. Some say that they are associated with high acidity of saliva, others with genetics, and still others with serious mechanical stress. There is even a version that tooth decay due to erosion occurs due to malfunctions in the functioning of the thyroid gland (with its increased activity).

In practice, the doctor observes the following picture: matte spots form on the enamel, the patient complains of increased sensitivity of the teeth, the inability to eat spicy, sour, hot, cold. Hard tissues need to be strengthened as soon as possible. Otherwise, individual sections of the tooth will soon begin to chip off.

Bruxism

It is a violation of the chewing function of the jaw muscles . In this condition, a person's mouth muscles involuntarily contract while they sleep. As a result, opposing teeth begin to grind and rub against each other. Usually a person does not know that he suffers from bruxism until people living in the same apartment tell him about it. After all, everything happens during sleep.

Muscle crushing of the jaw is a direct path to increased abrasion of the enamel. Why they happen has not yet been established. Scientists suggest that impaired sleep function is to blame. There is a version that the problem arises in response to severe stress.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to cure bruxism completely, but this does not mean that nothing can be done. It is necessary to use special dental guards . They should be worn over your teeth while you sleep at night. This will protect the enamel and effectively prevent cracking and damage.

Genetic predisposition

It is believed that if one of the parents has crumbled teeth, then the child is highly likely to experience the problem as well. Knowing about the hereditary predisposition to dental problems, you need to pay maximum attention to oral care from childhood.

Annual examinations at the dentist's office, professional oral hygiene and regular remineralization procedures will help prevent serious damage to the enamel.

Unsatisfactory working conditions and poor environment

These are very serious problems of our time. In many hazardous industries, after several years of work, people are faced with the destruction of many teeth. No preventive measures help them, since the toxins that enter the body at the workplace turn out to be very aggressive.

The situation is similar if a person lives in an unfavorable ecological zone. Only moving can help him maintain his health.

Diagnosis and identification of the cause

Teeth crumbling is a consequence, but only a specialist can determine what the root cause is. It will take one or more appointments (depending on whether additional tests are required) to understand whether dental or some other reason led to the appearance of crumbling.

The diagnostic examination takes place in several stages:

examination of the patient’s oral cavity to collect a detailed medical history;
if the reason is not dental, then a recommendation is given to visit a doctor according to indications, for example, an endocrinologist, therapist, gynecologist, etc.;
a referral is issued for blood tests (to identify possible pathologies, such as anemia, hormonal disorders, etc.).

Often, x-rays, ultrasound and other tests may be required. The more thoroughly information about your health status is collected, the higher the chance that the cause of tooth decay will be eliminated and it will be possible to save those that are not yet affected.

What will help strengthen the enamel?

Professional oral hygiene. It will not only get rid of tartar and deposits, but also significantly reduce microbial activity in the mouth.
Enamel remineralization or fluoridation. The enamel will receive additional nutrition, which will strengthen its structure.
Taking multivitamins and calcium, a balanced diet.
Hormonal therapy.

What to do with already crumbled teeth?

Whatever the reason, but if the fact of crumbling has already happened, you need to worry about the issue of restoration. Dental procedures in this case can be carried out in parallel with the elimination of the cause of teeth crumbling.

Recommended options for restoring crumbling teeth:

Artistic restoration or filling
. Suitable for cases where a small area is crumbled and the resulting cavity is not affected by caries. Photopolymer materials are installed in place of the missing piece of fabric.
Prosthetics
.
The appropriate option is selected individually. The dentist may offer you: Veneers
. If the destruction has affected only the front part of the tooth and is purely aesthetic in nature, a ceramic onlay will help correct the defect.
Crowns
. If the tooth has crumbled very badly, then crowns made of metal-ceramics, ceramics or zirconium dioxide can be used for restoration.
Tabs
. They allow you to restore the destroyed part by replacing the missing tissue.

Implantation
. It involves the implantation of an artificial root into the bone tissue, on which a crown is then installed. The method is indicated for those whose tooth could not be saved, which led to its complete loss.

Only a dentist can determine the optimal method for restoring crushed parts, and already at the first examination. Please note that if the problem is not addressed immediately, it may worsen and lead to complete tooth loss.

Lifestyle and micronutrient deficiencies

To a certain extent, a person’s lifestyle affects the condition of their teeth. Thus, in people involved in certain sports (boxing, hockey), they are often injured, their integrity is compromised, a crack forms, and a crown or root fracture occurs. Because of this, the tooth becomes loose and its position in relation to the rest of the jaw changes.

A lack of vitamins and microelements causes hypovitaminosis, which is manifested by bleeding gums during the cleaning process. Most often, this happens in the winter-spring period, due to a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.

To eliminate vitamin deficiency, you should take synthetic preparations that contain the required amount of all trace elements and minerals.

Prevention of tooth decay

Already knowing why teeth crumble, it’s easy to draw logical conclusions about what you should give up and what you should take up as a habit as preventive measures. But, in fact, the list of recommendations for well-organized prevention is quite large. The main tips concern the following issues:

Professional cleaning
. It is carried out to remove plaque and stone.
Remineralization
. It is carried out with the aim of restoring and normalizing the balance of vitamins in the dental tissues. To saturate the tissues with the necessary elements, a special composition is applied to the surface of the tooth for several minutes. After enrichment with fluorine and calcium, the fabric becomes stronger.
Fluoridation
. The use of fluoride-containing pastes that actively nourish the enamel. It is fluoride that is responsible for crystalline calcium compounds and helps strengthen teeth.
Taking active supplements
. With a predominance of calcium and vitamin D.
Rejection of bad habits
. Both in nutrition and in other aspects, for example, refusing to bite your nails.
Revision of the diet
. Regular consumption of seafood, fresh vegetables, fruits and cottage cheese is encouraged.
Rinse
(with water or special compounds). Recommended after every meal and snack.
Routine visit to the dentist.
Even if you have no complaints, it is recommended to schedule an examination at least twice a year.

Also try to avoid stress and walk outdoors more often. In addition, it would be a good idea to consult with your doctor about choosing the toothpaste that is best suited for you. And also purchase a soft brush, rinsing compositions and floss for cleaning the interdental space. Their regular use will be an excellent prevention.

Professional methods for restoring tooth enamel

In most cases, damaged enamel requires professional restoration at a dental clinic. There are many methods, we will look at the most popular ones, as well as an innovative method of restoring teeth using the drug Innodent Repair .

Remineralization

Remineralization ensures restoration of the structure of tooth enamel by stabilizing the balance of minerals present in tooth enamel. Professional remineralization in a dental clinic is carried out using products and preparations containing fluoride and calcium.

Main indications for the procedure:

Loss of natural shine on teeth
Lack of surface mineralization
Development of carious enamel damage affecting the internal tissues of the tooth
Toothache when eating high or low temperature foods, as well as sweet and sour foods.

The remineralization procedure occurs by coating the enamel with a special preparation containing the necessary complex of minerals necessary to maintain the integrity of the teeth’s incisors.

As a rule, it includes: ionized fluorides, components that increase the protective properties of enamel, phosphorus, zinc and calcium.

Features of nutrition with increased fragility of enamel

If the problem of teeth crumbling is purely dental, then most often it is a consequence of thinning and brittleness of the enamel. If you solve the problem solely aesthetically, your teeth will continue to deteriorate. The most correct option is to follow the nutritional recommendations, observing two basic conditions:

Normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (for complete absorption of mineral salts).
Ensure the supply of essential minerals and vitamins from food and more.

Make it a habit to eat 5-6 times a day, eating small portions of food each time. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest and harmful (including processed foods).

Try to regularly consume foods rich in:

Phosphorus
: eggs;
high-quality natural cheeses;
nuts;
sesame;
pumpkin and sunflower seeds;
greenery;
seafood;
beef and veal.

Vitamin D
:

fish (in particular sardines and herring);

egg yolk;

beef liver.

To ensure the necessary chemical reactions, it is very important to consume clean water regularly and in sufficient quantities. For an adult, the norm is 1.5-2 liters per day.

Poor nutrition

Proper nutrition affects both the entire body as a whole and its individual systems, including preventing the development of dental diseases. The most dangerous is the unreasonable consumption of carbohydrates, namely sugar-containing products, and their significant predominance in the diet.

To maintain dental health, it is recommended to include foods rich in:

protein (meat, fish, eggs, milk), since its deficiency has an unsatisfactory effect on the accumulation of calcium;
fluoride (seafood, fish, buckwheat, radishes, carrots), the optimal amount of which increases the resistance of tooth enamel to pathological factors;
calcium (cabbage, nuts, fruits, dairy products), which has a positive effect on the crystal lattice of teeth.

In order to avoid negative effects on the jaw system, you should limit the consumption of sticky, viscous foods - toffee, chocolate bars, liquid caramel.

Such food sticks to the teeth, is poorly washed off by saliva, and contributes to the development of caries. You should not abuse sweet carbonated drinks and packaged juices, due to the high sugar content in them.

Brief conclusions

If you notice that your teeth are crumbling, but do not experience pain, this is not a reason to delay going to the dentist. Get ready for the fact that the problem that has arisen will have to be solved comprehensively, turning to doctors of various profiles and solving not only dental, but also other health problems. If your teeth are crumbling, the causes can only be determined and eliminated by a specialist.

And most importantly, do not neglect preventive measures that will help maintain the integrity of your teeth and healthy gums.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion is diagnosed in the majority of the population. But, people go to the clinic for its correction only in case of a pronounced anomaly, although due to malocclusion the following occurs:

Uneven load on teeth when chewing food. For some of them it is double the amount, while others are inactive. Due to excessive pressure, dental tissue is destroyed, leading to tooth loss.
Reduced chewing activity, since not every tooth can participate in the process. To chew food well, you need to close your jaws tightly, but if you want to do this, discomfort and pain often occur. As a result, the composition of bone and soft tissue is disrupted.

An incorrect bite provokes the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the gums - periodontitis. In some people, due to an abnormal bite, involuntary grinding of teeth occurs - bruxism, which causes tooth wear and loosening.

Genetic predisposition

The quality of teeth depends on what kind of teeth the parents had. Dental heredity can manifest itself both in children, during the formation of teeth, and in adults. It is not the specific disease that depends on genes, but the predisposition to it.

Heredity affects:

tooth structure;
jaw shape;
metabolism in the body, which influences the occurrence of caries.

Studies have shown that if both parents had the first manifestations of caries on their lower teeth, then the same row will be weaker in the child. Scientists also found that if mothers had bad teeth, then 90% of children subsequently developed various dental diseases.

Implantation is a solution for advanced cases

Alas, if the root of a tooth has rotted, then the only solution is removal. But even here, dentists offer a method that will help restore a rotten tooth - implantation. The implant will stop bone loss, prevent loosening and tilting of neighboring teeth, and restore your smile. The immediate loading method involves placing an implant immediately after tooth extraction. There is no need to wait for the hole to heal and you can chew almost immediately.

Characteristic symptoms and stages of disease development

Dental problems manifest themselves in different ways. It depends on the degree of damage, the sensitivity of the body, and the number of problem areas. Tooth decay does not occur in just one day.

Dentists distinguish several characteristic stages, which are characterized by certain symptoms:

Unpleasant smell. At first it is not too noticeable. Gradually, even during a conversation, the interlocutor feels a putrid “aroma”. Its source is pathogenic bacteria. They inhabit plaque that forms at the point of contact between the gum and tooth.
Stains on the enamel. This is the next stage of the disease, when the damage spreads deeper and damages the enamel.
Black areas. If they are located on the root, it is very difficult to notice them. To clarify the extent of the damage, an x-ray is taken.
Formation of the cavity. A cavity forms in place of the black spot. Through it, food debris gets to the inside of the tooth. The tooth actively “signals” about the problem with painful sensations, reaction to hot and cold.
Pulpitis develops. By not consulting a doctor in time, the patient allows inflammation to reach the pulp. Soft tissues containing blood vessels and nerves undergo rotting. It is accompanied by sharp, unbearable pain.

The decay process ends in different ways. If it starts from the top of the tooth, it gradually spreads to the root. After the nerve dies, the pain intensity decreases. If decay affects the root first, the tooth may fall out or have to be removed.

Stages

Caries, like a secret agent, begins to act on the sly and may not make itself felt for years. Its initial stage is called the “white spot stage.” Well, how can you see white on white? That is why it is important to visit the dentist regularly - the specialist will highlight the white spot against the background of the enamel and cure caries in time. And if you start it, the disease goes to the next level:

Surface.
The enamel is still intact, but in the area of the stain it becomes rough. The stain deepens. The tooth begins to react to cold and hot.
Average.
Caries penetrates to the dentin, but it does not provide access to the pulp. A damaged tooth reacts to temperature, mechanical, and chemical stimuli. But the pain is not constant, it goes away quickly.
Deep.
The pain is sharp when touched, but gradually subsides. A carious cavity is visible to the naked eye.