Often, for some reason, an adult’s teeth begin to crumble, break and collapse – two questions arise: what causes this and what should a person do in such a situation? There may be several reasons for this. Despite the fact that enamel, especially its upper layers, is the hardest tissue in the body (250–800 units on the Vickers scale, 397.6 kg / mm²), it is quite fragile and its condition is highly dependent on the acidity of saliva (begins to deteriorate already at pH<4.5).
At the initial appointment, the dentist not only performs an examination but also collects a detailed history from the patient’s words in order not only to see the problem but also to take into account genetics, and lifestyle factors and prescribe the right treatment.
Why adult teeth crumble and decay – reasons and what to do to avoid it
The etiology can both lie in the initial fragility of tooth crumble enamel (most likely, this is an indicator of the hereditary origin of the disease), and be, in turn, the result of more serious diseases that the patient suffers from, for example, disorders of the stomach or thyroid gland.
Heredity
Genetically determined:
- Insufficient strength and thickness of the protective shell of the crowns;
- The composition of saliva, “thanks” to which it corrodes the coating or does not sufficiently protect it from pathogens;
- The irregular structure of the jaws, and bite geometry (deep, cross, distal, mesial), due to which there is constant friction of the surfaces.
Parents with chronic dental problems often worry that they will not be passed on to their children, and for good reason: the inheritance of “dental” diseases is not uncommon. The reasons why teeth collapse, crumble, and break in an adult often lie in childhood. In such cases, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the child’s mouth from the earliest possible age in order to prevent the development of severe pathologies and quickly correct emerging defects.
Diseases of the oral cavity
- Caries is the most common variant of destruction. It is caused by pathogenic bacteria that multiply on the surface of the tooth covering. The first stage of a carious lesion is a white chalky spot, which may be invisible, but already harmful to health. In this case, most often only a doctor will notice the pathology during a personal examination, so regular preventive visits to the dentist should not be neglected. Caries gradually corrode the layers of molars, starting from the outer ones, becoming more and more visible, leading to serious disorders requiring urgent surgical intervention (for example, pulpitis).
- Fluorosis is a disease of mainly endemic etiology, arising from an excess of fluoride in the body. Most often, it affects people living in unfavorable environmental conditions or working in hazardous industries. It manifests itself in the appearance of dark streaks on the enamel and is one of the reasons why the teeth began to crumble and quickly collapse. Treatment is symptomatic, and doctors recommend removing risk factors from life.
- Erosions are non-carious lesions. The mechanism of their occurrence is not completely clear, but most doctors believe that the increased acidity of saliva and permanent mechanical damage (for example, with malocclusion) is to blame.
- Bruxism is a pathology in which involuntary movements of the jaws occur. A person creaks with them (often in a dream) and thus starts the process of destruction of the coating. Most often, in this case, not only a dental examination is required, but also treatment by a neurologist – a disorder of the nervous system may be to blame. Also, during therapy, doctors advise using special caps (silicone pads) that are worn at night and protect the enamel.
Taking certain medications regularly
Chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of malignant neoplasms are also harmful, but here one has to be guided by the principle of lesser evil: they cannot be replaced by anything, because the patient’s condition is life-threatening, and doctors usually prescribe only symptomatic blockers for the duration of therapy.
If something is prescribed by a specialist, from which the teeth crumble and collapse, what should I do? It is recommended not to forget to clean them at least twice daily, visit the dentist more often (every 2-3 months), and reduce the use of coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco so as not to aggravate the situation. Also, contact your therapist – in some cases, it is possible to find an affordable analog.
Deficiency or excess of vitamins and minerals in the body
Their deficiency is mainly caused by malnutrition. First of all, if there is a deficiency according to the results of the tests, the doctor will suggest adjusting the diet, and secondly, he will prescribe a drug containing the desired substance. We can give ourselves some recommendations:
- Do not get carried away with refined flour products (buns, white bread), sweet drinks, soda, fast carbohydrates, chocolate, and sweets;
- Be sure to consume fresh vegetables, dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk);
- Eat enough solid foods (cheeses, legumes, non-acidic fruits).
The main vitamins on which oral health depends:
- A;
- IN;
- WITH;
- RR;
- TO;
- D.
They participate in protein metabolism, improve the absorption of the necessary fluorine and calcium, and normalize the functioning of the salivary glands and the state of the periodontal tissue.
Pregnancy and hormonal disruptions
Expectant mothers are advised to discuss with the doctor the necessary diet, which will eliminate the deficiency of chemical elements. In addition to the transition to a balanced diet, stress, and conflict situations should be avoided, and as often as possible, be in the fresh air.
Also, the cause of destruction and crumbling of teeth in women after 45-50 years old may be an imbalance of hormones caused by menopause. How to alleviate this condition, the dentist will tell you.
Unsatisfactory working conditions and a bad environment
Perhaps, in the anthropological museum, you saw the skeleton of an ancient man, who, surprisingly, at a fairly old age, had almost completely preserved the dentoalveolar system. Indeed, the ecological situation in the world is getting worse (especially in industrial cities), and the food and water that we consume today often have a negative impact on health.
If there is an opportunity to change jobs or place of residence, it is worth doing. Otherwise, it is recommended to compensate for adverse conditions with more thorough care and regular preventive visits to the dentist.
Bad habits
Alcohol abuse slows down metabolic processes and impairs the absorption of certain nutrients, and smoking also provokes accelerated plaque formation (and, as a result, carious lesions). Also included in this category is the habit of biting nails or pencils.
Constant rubbing and irritation of the teeth leads to damage and decay and is the reason why they fall apart over time in adults.
Poor oral hygiene
Much has been said about this. If plaque is not removed from the enamel daily, it will be destroyed due to the accumulation of harmful bacteria, and gradually the inflammation will reach the periodontal tissues. To avoid this, use a toothbrush and paste twice a day, and floss after meals. It is also recommended to visit a dental hygienist every six months for professional care.
Hereditary factors
“Bad” genetics is not a death sentence, although it creates additional problems. If this has affected you, we advise you to devote more time to hygiene, use an irrigator if possible, and visit a doctor at least once every six months.
Injuries
They are of three varieties:
- Mechanical – upon impact, constant exposure to solid objects, often occurs during mobile contact sports;
- Chemical – depending on the external environment, the content of harmful substances in it that destroy the coating;
- Thermal – when eating too hot or cold foods and combining them (for example, it is harmful to drink freshly made coffee with a glass, the recipe of which contains ice cream).
It is recommended to avoid all kinds of such influences whenever possible.
Malocclusion
There are several types:
- Straight;
- Mesial;
- Open;
- Deep;
- Dystopia.
With each of them, the surfaces rub excessively, and the enamel is gradually erased. If this is the reason why both the front teeth and the molars crumble, crumble, and collapse, what should be done in this situation so that they do not teeth crumble and collapse? Often, the violation is accompanied by bruxism (grinding of the jaws), which greatly exacerbates the situation. Doctors advise, if possible, to correct the anomaly using orthodontic structures (braces, aligners, retainers, caps). Such treatment is expensive and often time-consuming, but it will protect you from serious problems in the future, as well as reduce the load on the dentition. This is especially true in childhood – the child’s jaw is more pliable and responds better to therapy, which allows you to correct its position in a short time.
If the teeth crumble and fall apart – what to do depending on the reasons
Fortunately, there are methods, and they are quite effective. All that is required from the patient is adherence to treatment and compliance with the rules of hygiene.
Installation of seals
The filling is a modern way of dealing with the problem, which has greatly progressed and developed in recent years. Now a light-cured material is placed on the chipped places, which quickly hardens and lasts a long time without requiring replacement. It can be given the necessary shade and shape so that it will look like native enamel.
Professional oral hygiene
It is desirable to carry out it every six months. This is an excellent prevention of caries, erosion, and gum disease, which helps to maintain health in order and use the services of a dentist-therapist as little as possible.
Crowns, veneers
If a conventional filling is not enough, install a ceramic or porcelain “overlay” – it will restore its aesthetic appeal and chewing function. Its service life varies from several years to a couple of decades.
Mineralizing procedures
Applications containing the necessary enamel minerals are applied to the damaged parts. Usually, several manipulations are required, but sometimes one is enough.
Fluoride coating of teeth
Also used for recovery, but is contraindicated in fluorosis. Fluorine and calcium are the main chemical elements required for remineralization and are often used in turn. The varnish is safe for the body, it is a dark brown substance of a viscous consistency and smells like pine needles.
Taking a multivitamin
If the problem is caused by a deficiency of nutrients, as prescribed by the doctor, it is worth drinking a course of drugs that will solve it. Some doctors prescribe funds at their discretion without testing, but practice shows that in most cases it is necessary to take an analysis to determine the lack of minerals or vitamins. In addition, sometimes disorders are caused not by a small content of elements in the blood, but by their excess – in this situation, it is necessary to adjust the diet.
Prevention of tooth crumble in adults
Even when their destruction is due to genetic factors, you can always reduce the likelihood of developing pathology if you do not forget about your health and carefully monitor it.
Home care
Choose a paste with the help of a general practitioner – he will tell you what is right for you, taking into account your lifestyle and type of disease. You will also need:
- Brush, soft or medium hard;
- Dental floss (floss) for the treatment of interdental spaces after meals;
- Gel or rinse;
- Irrigator (if possible).
It is necessary to use all these funds daily, without gaps, at least twice a day. This will help maintain a healthy oral cavity and avoid many problems – you will have to treat your teeth much less frequently.
Preventive check-ups at the dentist
You need to visit a doctor at least once every six months – sometimes only he can see a pathology that begins to develop, and any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Chalky or dark spots, incipient caries or fluorosis, erosion – all this can be distinguished at a very early stage and quickly cured if you go to the appointment on time.
A Comprehensive Guide to the Classification of Diseases of the Oral Mucosa
Summing up
The problem must be solved comprehensively – the only way you will achieve a stable remission. Often, the answers to the questions of why the teeth in an adult are stratified, destroyed, and crumble and what to do about it lie in the state of our body and internal organs. It is worth taking care of yourself: establish a balanced diet, if possible get rid of bad habits (not only smoking and alcohol but also mechanical influences), then the likelihood that you will encounter the described pathology will be significantly lower.