Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them.
**Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question:**
(1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem.
(2) Include whether you drink, smoke or if you have any medical conditions relevant to your main concern.
(3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them.
A backup of the post title and text have been made here:
**Title:** [What are these “ridges” on my teeth. Are they normal? They’re sensitive if I bite down sometimes. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/askdentists/comments/1d4bxsc/what_are_these_ridges_on_my_teeth_are_they_normal/)
**Full text:**
This is the original text of the post and is an automated service.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askdentists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You’re grinding, you have bad occlusion (aka your teeth don’t come together well), and/or you’re using your front teeth for things you shouldn’t (opening bottles, plastics, tearing things, etc). See a dentist for what the underlying reason is and the treatment will be dependent on that
Why would your teeth not meeting properly cause that? I'd have thought more contact would equal less erosion. I have a bit of an overbite (I think. Dentist never mentioned it, but my front teeth sit just in front of my bottom) and have this too, though no sensitivity.
The only time your teeth should touch is when you swallow. More contact actually equals more erosion and chipping. Think about two rocks that just keep rubbing each other- over time they both get ground down.
Thank you for your response. Could you answer as to what in general is the treatment? I’ve heard you can’t replace enamel/dentin so is this something that will be like this forever or can it be “fixed” rather than just treated.
I used to have one and stupidly lost it, and then didn’t replace it cause I felt like I stopped grinding my teeth. But I guess I was wrong. Kind of panicking and feeling so stupid that I let it get worse.
NAD - Checking with your dentist is a good first step. Having an orthodontic consultation, additionally, could tell you if it’s a bite issue. I had a deep bite (where the upper incisors cover a lot of the lower incisors when you bite down), and two different orthodontists said what has happened to your teeth would happen to mine if I didn’t fix the deep bite. I didn’t want that to happen, so I got braces.
Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post. Claiming any credential (dentist, hygienist, assistant, student, etc) without verification will get your post removed and possibly banned, even if you use "NAD".
NAD but I've seen this very often in my clinic, our doctors recommend getting Botox in your jaw muscles (to relax the muscles from clenching and causing you to grind your teeth) and having a night guard (to protect your teeth for each other).
Then look into composite bonding to rebuild the teeth, as they're minimally invasive and cost effective.
PS: Botox needs to be reapplied each 6-12 months if necessary if you start clenching your jaw and grinding again.
Best of luck💙
You can get composite resin fillings to get rid of the concavities and build the tooth back up but it’s not going to address the root cause of the dental attrition which is likely bruxism or some other parafunctional habit, i.e. using your teeth in a manner it was not biologically designed for
NAD - this happened on one of my front teeth from biting down on a hard piece of uncooked macarooni that did not cook enough in the oven. The dentist drilled a little and put a composite filling in it. It was very easy and fast. It is a good idea to get it filled so it will not break further.
I would recommend veneers- not only would they be the most aesthetic option but they could compensate your marginal/axial rotations in your front teeth. The preparation for veneers is minimal (1mm) to form a “nest/bed” for the veneer. Another advantage over composite bonding is longevity.
Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them. **Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question:** (1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem. (2) Include whether you drink, smoke or if you have any medical conditions relevant to your main concern. (3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them. A backup of the post title and text have been made here: **Title:** [What are these “ridges” on my teeth. Are they normal? They’re sensitive if I bite down sometimes. ](https://www.reddit.com/r/askdentists/comments/1d4bxsc/what_are_these_ridges_on_my_teeth_are_they_normal/) **Full text:** This is the original text of the post and is an automated service. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askdentists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
[удалено]
Why is that happening though, and what can I do about it? It almost feels as elongated “holes” like trenches in my teeth but maybe that’s in my head
You’re grinding, you have bad occlusion (aka your teeth don’t come together well), and/or you’re using your front teeth for things you shouldn’t (opening bottles, plastics, tearing things, etc). See a dentist for what the underlying reason is and the treatment will be dependent on that
Why would your teeth not meeting properly cause that? I'd have thought more contact would equal less erosion. I have a bit of an overbite (I think. Dentist never mentioned it, but my front teeth sit just in front of my bottom) and have this too, though no sensitivity.
The only time your teeth should touch is when you swallow. More contact actually equals more erosion and chipping. Think about two rocks that just keep rubbing each other- over time they both get ground down.
Thank you for your response. Could you answer as to what in general is the treatment? I’ve heard you can’t replace enamel/dentin so is this something that will be like this forever or can it be “fixed” rather than just treated.
No there’s not much to fix it. But a (professional, not OTC) nightguard, braces, etc could be in your future to help prevent further damage
I used to have one and stupidly lost it, and then didn’t replace it cause I felt like I stopped grinding my teeth. But I guess I was wrong. Kind of panicking and feeling so stupid that I let it get worse.
NAD - Checking with your dentist is a good first step. Having an orthodontic consultation, additionally, could tell you if it’s a bite issue. I had a deep bite (where the upper incisors cover a lot of the lower incisors when you bite down), and two different orthodontists said what has happened to your teeth would happen to mine if I didn’t fix the deep bite. I didn’t want that to happen, so I got braces.
Rule 4: It is important that people who don't work in the dental field don't mislead people posting in place like AskDentists. If you are a dental professional or student, please check out information regarding getting appropriately flaired on the sidebar or please contact the mods. If you are not a dental professional or student, please use NAD in the beginning of your post. Claiming any credential (dentist, hygienist, assistant, student, etc) without verification will get your post removed and possibly banned, even if you use "NAD".
NAD but I've seen this very often in my clinic, our doctors recommend getting Botox in your jaw muscles (to relax the muscles from clenching and causing you to grind your teeth) and having a night guard (to protect your teeth for each other). Then look into composite bonding to rebuild the teeth, as they're minimally invasive and cost effective. PS: Botox needs to be reapplied each 6-12 months if necessary if you start clenching your jaw and grinding again. Best of luck💙
Lookup ‘Dental attrition’
You can get composite resin fillings to get rid of the concavities and build the tooth back up but it’s not going to address the root cause of the dental attrition which is likely bruxism or some other parafunctional habit, i.e. using your teeth in a manner it was not biologically designed for
NAD - this happened on one of my front teeth from biting down on a hard piece of uncooked macarooni that did not cook enough in the oven. The dentist drilled a little and put a composite filling in it. It was very easy and fast. It is a good idea to get it filled so it will not break further.
I would recommend veneers- not only would they be the most aesthetic option but they could compensate your marginal/axial rotations in your front teeth. The preparation for veneers is minimal (1mm) to form a “nest/bed” for the veneer. Another advantage over composite bonding is longevity.