Dental emergency? Here’s what to do and who to call
Dentist Disaster

Chips, cracks & breaks

Worn teeth

Routine6 treatment options

Teeth that look shorter, thinner, more yellow or sensitive may be wearing away. Find out the causes - acid, grinding, brushing - and fixes.

How urgent is it? Routine

Not urgent, but worth raising at your next check-up so the cause can be found early - worn teeth are easier to treat when wear is minimal. See a dentist sooner if a tooth becomes painful.

What it is

Some tooth wear is a natural part of ageing, but some people lose more enamel and dentine than expected. Bristol Dental School describes the most common cause as dental erosion - wear caused by acid - with grinding and heavy brushing also playing a part.

As enamel thins, the yellower dentine underneath shows through, teeth can look shorter or chipped, and they may become sensitive. Once enamel has gone it does not grow back, so the first step is always to find and reduce the cause.

If worn teeth need rebuilding, the options range from adding tooth-coloured composite to the worn surfaces through to onlays, crowns and, for very severe generalised wear, dentures. Restorations on worn teeth need ongoing maintenance because they can chip and wear too.

Signs and causes

Common signs

  • Teeth becoming shorter or thinner at the edges
  • A more yellow appearance as dentine shows through
  • Sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
  • Small chips, or wear cavities (holes) on the tooth surfaces

Usual causes

  • Frequent acidic drinks and foods, such as fizzy drinks, fruit juices, smoothies, sports drinks and citrus fruit
  • Stomach acid from reflux or repeated vomiting
  • Grinding or clenching the teeth
  • Brushing too hard, or brushing straight after something acidic

Ways to fix it

The options a dentist may discuss with you, and when each one tends to be used. Which one suits you depends on an examination.

  1. Daily oral hygiene

    Always the first step: gentle brushing with fluoride toothpaste and waiting an hour after acidic food or drink.

    Available on the NHSHome care

  2. Night guards and splints

    If grinding or clenching is contributing, to protect the teeth at night.

    Sometimes on the NHSPreventive

  3. Dental bonding

    Localised wear on some teeth where enough tooth remains to build up with composite.

    Sometimes on the NHSCosmetic

  4. Inlays and onlays

    Worn back teeth that need a laboratory-made restoration to protect the biting surface.

    Available on the NHSRestorative

  5. Crowns

    Teeth with too little tooth left to rebuild with a filling.

    Available on the NHSRestorative

  6. Dentures

    Severe wear affecting most teeth, where overdentures or dentures may be used.

    Available on the NHSRestorative

What you can do now

  • Keep acidic drinks to mealtimes, drink them quickly or through a straw, and avoid swishing them around your mouth
  • Wait at least an hour after acidic food or drink before brushing
  • Use a soft or medium brush with gentle pressure
  • Finish a meal with milk or cheese, or chew sugar-free gum, to help neutralise acid
  • See your GP if you have frequent heartburn, reflux or vomiting

Preventing it

  • Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and spit rather than rinse
  • Limit how often you have acidic foods and drinks
  • Ask about a night guard if you grind your teeth

Common questions

Is some tooth wear normal?

Yes. A degree of wear is a natural part of ageing; it becomes a problem when it is faster or more severe than expected, or causes pain or sensitivity.

Are sugar-free fizzy drinks safe for teeth?

They avoid sugar but can still be acidic, so they can still cause erosion if drunk often.

How long do composite build-ups last?

Bristol Dental School reports that composite build-ups for worn teeth last on average around 5 to 6 years, and they need maintenance because they can chip, stain or fracture.

Products that may help at home

These support good daily care; they don’t replace treatment from a dentist. Some links may be affiliate links.

Sensodyne Repair & Protect toothpaste

A toothpaste for sensitive teeth built around NovaMin. As with any sensitivity toothpaste, you need to keep using it for the…

Features & who it suits

Sources we used

Checked September 2026. Guidance changes, so always follow the advice of your own dental team. About our sources.