Sensitivity that is new
If a tooth that never minded cold now flinches at it, the protective layer may have thinned. Note whether warm drinks bother it, which side it is on, and how quickly the feeling settles.
Restorative Dentistry
Acid-Wear Treatment in Old Milton
Teeth that have served you for decades carry a record of every habit. We help Old Milton patients read that record, separate acid erosion from ordinary ageing, and protect or rebuild what matters.
Reading the wearRequest an erosion assessment
Is it age, or is it acid?
Some wear comes with years of chewing, but erosion is a separate process. Acid from food, drink or the stomach softens enamel and slowly dissolves it. Unlike decay, it is not driven by bacteria, although a tooth can have both. The results include sensitivity, cupped surfaces and edges that look thin.
Many Old Milton patients arrive with a mix of history: fillings placed long ago, a few crowns, perhaps a habit of lemon in hot water or a nightly glass of wine. Reflux, medications that dry the mouth and the way the bite has shifted over time can all shape the damage. Picking those threads apart tells the dentist where prevention will help most.
So an Old Milton visit starts with you. Mention routines that feel unremarkable, when your teeth complain, and whether chewing has changed.
When to mention it
Are your teeth telling you something?
Changes that have crept up over years can still be worth checking. An exam helps show whether you are seeing erosion, decay, toothbrush abrasion, grinding or something else entirely.
Shorter, see-through edges
Front teeth can lose length or take on a bluish, translucent rim. Photos taken now give a baseline, so later visits can show whether the change is still moving or has been stable for years.
Fillings that seem raised
When enamel around an old filling wears away, the filling can appear to sit proud of the tooth. Hollows on molars are another hint. The dentist checks the bite too, since grinding and erosion often overlap.
Darker or more yellow teeth are common with age and do not by themselves mean erosion. Please hold off on whitening or new products until the cause has been looked at.
Why it is worth addressing
Keep the teeth you have working well
The early aim is to slow further loss and settle sensitivity. That could involve changing when acidic foods and drinks are taken, using a fluoride product, or talking to your physician if reflux, vomiting or a medication side effect may be involved.
Dissolved enamel does not return. When wear interferes with comfort, chewing or appearance, a restoration may be considered together with prevention. How much sound tooth is left, and where the loss is concentrated, help decide between a modest bonded repair and broader work.
Patient information: ADA — dietary acids and teeth
Causes named, not guessed
Linking your habits and health to where the wear sits allows advice that is precise, rather than a blanket list of foods to avoid.
Repairs on firmer ground
Lowering ongoing acid contact first gives restorations a better chance, and it hands you practical steps to work on between visits.
Priorities you can follow
A plan separates teeth that only need watching from those that need rebuilding, so effort goes where it counts.
What happens at the clinic
What does the assessment involve?
The appointment connects your symptoms with what can be seen in the mouth. Older restorations are part of the picture, and treatment may be spaced out when several teeth are affected or a medical cause needs follow-up.
Your history first
We ask about sensitivity, appearance, eating and drinking, and conditions such as reflux or dry mouth. A medication list is especially helpful, since several common prescriptions can reduce saliva.
A look at every surface
The dentist examines enamel, existing fillings and crowns, and how the teeth meet. Photographs or scans can document where things stand, and X-rays are taken only if they would answer a specific question.
Options laid out plainly
You hear what is likely driving the wear, how sensitivity can be eased, and whether anything needs restoring now. Feel free to ask which steps treat the cause and which replace lost structure.
A later comparison
Follow-up compares your teeth and symptoms against the first records. If wear continues or a restoration needs fine-tuning, the plan changes to suit.
Looking after enamel day to day
Gentle habits, kept up over time
One or two well-chosen changes usually work better than a cabinet full of strong products. Aim for something you can do comfortably every day.
Keep acids to mealtimes
Lemon water, wine, pop and juice do less harm when they are not sipped across the whole day. Tell us what you reach for most often, including diet drinks, and lean on plain water between meals.
Let the brush do the work
A soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste chosen for you are enough; pressing harder does not help. Ask how long to wait after something acidic before you brush.
Track your mouth and your health
Note episodes of heartburn, dryness or sensitivity and bring the list to your review. If a medical condition is behind the exposure, your physician may need to be part of the plan.
Your questions(905) 876-4488
What Old Milton adults often wonder
These questions come up when wear has developed slowly. Your examination is what determines the right advice for your teeth.
Isn't some tooth wear just part of getting older?
Some wear from chewing is expected over a lifetime. Erosion is different because acid is removing enamel, and that can often be slowed. An exam can show which kind you have, or whether both are present, so you are not left guessing.
Could my medications be affecting my enamel?
Some medications reduce saliva, and saliva helps protect teeth from acid. Bring a full list to your appointment. The dentist will not change your prescriptions, but may suggest ways to manage dryness or a conversation with your physician.
Can old fillings make erosion harder to treat?
They can affect the plan. Enamel may wear around an older filling, leaving edges that trap food or feel rough. The dentist checks whether those restorations are still sound and how they fit with any new repair.
Does diet pop wear enamel even without sugar?
Yes, it can. Many sugar-free soft drinks are still acidic. How often you drink them, and whether you sip slowly, matters as much as what is in the can. Bring the details so advice fits your routine.
What if I decide to leave mild wear alone for now?
That can be a reasonable choice when teeth are comfortable and working well, as long as the wear is checked at regular visits. Records from the first appointment make it easier to see if anything progresses.
Do teeth worn over many years usually end up needing crowns?
Not necessarily. Many worn teeth can be monitored or repaired with smaller restorations. Crowns may be considered when little structure remains or the bite needs rebuilding. If one is suggested, ask what a more conservative option would and would not achieve.
Erosion care for Old Milton
Bring your questions about worn teeth.
From Old Milton, our clinic is close at hand. Come in to talk about sensitivity, thinning edges or worn fillings, and we will set out a sensible order of prevention, monitoring and repair for your teeth.
Call the clinic if you develop severe pain or swelling. Online requests are not suitable for urgent problems.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
- Oakville
- Mississauga
- Georgetown
- Halton Hills
- Acton
- Campbellville
- Brampton
- Burlington
- Puslinch
- Rockwood
- Erin
- Caledon
- Etobicoke
- Old Milton
- Bronte Meadows
- Timberlea
- Dorset Park
- Dempsey
- Clarke
- Beaty
- Coates
- Harrison
- Scott
- Willmott
- Ford
- Bowes
- Cobden
- Walker
- Mountain View
- Milton Heights
- Hawthorne Village
- Valley View
- Fallingbrook
- Nassagaweya
- Trafalgar
- Esquesing
- Nelson
- Brookville
- Moffat
- Glen Williams
- Norval
- Limehouse
- Stewarttown
- Ashgrove
- Hornby
- Silver Creek
- Speyside
- Scotch Block
- North Oakville
- River Oaks
- Glen Abbey
- West Oak Trails
- Palermo
- Bronte Creek
- College Park
- Joshua Creek
- Uptown Core
- Preserve
- Iroquois Ridge
- Lisgar
- Meadowvale
- Meadowvale Village
- Churchill Meadows
- Erin Mills
- Central Erin Mills
- Streetsville
- East Credit
- Creditview
- Heartland
- Sheridan
- Mount Pleasant
- Credit Valley
- Huttonville
- Churchville
- Springbrook
- Northwest Brampton
- Bram West
- Fletcher's Meadow
- Fletcher's Creek South
- Alton Village
- Orchard
- Millcroft
- Headon Forest
- Tansley
- Brant Hills
- Tyandaga
- Kilbride
- Lowville
- Aberfoyle
- Morriston
- Arkell
- Hillsburgh
- Freelton
- Carlisle
- Waterdown
- Flamborough
- Mountsberg
