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Why Are My Teeth Disintegrating While Having COPD?
I have several teeth that are disintegrating ...they start out being concave , such as in my incisors, then simply break off. Can this be a side-effect of a serious kidney disease or other problem? My gums are Not bleeding, I am 77 years of age., & up until recently, saw my dentist at least twice a year for cleaning & visual inspection. I have COPD very severely, & it s very difficult to get there & stay in the chair. Can you help?
Tue, 26 Apr 2016
Hello,
I can understand your concern. There are several reasons that can cause a tooth fracture. First is having carious lesion that makes teeth weak by cavitation and may fracture them. However, as you regularly visit your dentist twice a year, your dentist must have found them before fracture them and have informed you about their presence.
Secondly, it could be attrition. As we age, out teeth go through physiologic wear due to chewing, grinding and other normal functions. This may make teeth surfaces flat and may cause cusp or angle fractures in teeth.
Lastly, it could be erosion due to constant acid attack. If you are frequent consumer of carbonated drinks or concentrated lemon juice, or suffer from diseases that can cause regurgitation of acid into mouth like acid reflux disease or frequent vomiting or bulimia/anorexia nervosa (eating disorders), it can cause concavities in teeth like you are explaining and make them fracture. I assume this as a more possible reason for you as incisors are attacked first in such cases.
I would advise you to get treatment for the any acid refulx disorder if you have them and restrict on acidic food/drink consumption. In addition, you can go to the dentist and ask to make a bite guard for you that you can wear to protect teeth from constant wear.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
I can understand your concern. There are several reasons that can cause a tooth fracture. First is having carious lesion that makes teeth weak by cavitation and may fracture them. However, as you regularly visit your dentist twice a year, your dentist must have found them before fracture them and have informed you about their presence.
Secondly, it could be attrition. As we age, out teeth go through physiologic wear due to chewing, grinding and other normal functions. This may make teeth surfaces flat and may cause cusp or angle fractures in teeth.
Lastly, it could be erosion due to constant acid attack. If you are frequent consumer of carbonated drinks or concentrated lemon juice, or suffer from diseases that can cause regurgitation of acid into mouth like acid reflux disease or frequent vomiting or bulimia/anorexia nervosa (eating disorders), it can cause concavities in teeth like you are explaining and make them fracture. I assume this as a more possible reason for you as incisors are attacked first in such cases.
I would advise you to get treatment for the any acid refulx disorder if you have them and restrict on acidic food/drink consumption. In addition, you can go to the dentist and ask to make a bite guard for you that you can wear to protect teeth from constant wear.
I hope this information helps you. Thank you for choosing HealthcareMagic. Let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Best,
Dr. Viraj Shah
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