Last updated 11.03.2026

What is dental attrition?

Learn what causes dental attrition, how to spot tooth wear and when monitoring or treatment may help.

Have you ever stopped to think about how much your teeth touch each other? Every chew, swallow and clench adds a little contact, and over time that contact can wear down your biting surfaces. That wear is called dental attrition, and some of it comes with normal use.¹ Your dentist can help you tell when a change is worth a closer look.

What you'll learn in this article:

How tooth-to-tooth contact can wear down biting surfaces
Which changes to mention, even if your teeth don't hurt
How attrition differs from acid erosion and abrasion
When monitoring, protection or restorative treatment may help

If you've noticed changes in your teeth, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider to take a closer look and discuss your options

What causes dental attrition?

Attrition happens where teeth contact one another. Repeated contact can gradually change the biting edges of front teeth or the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Dentists may see flattened areas where opposing teeth meet.¹

Grinding can add to that wear.¹ Grinding and clenching are forms of bruxism, which can happen while you’re awake or asleep. You may not realize you’re doing it. More severe bruxism can damage teeth and cause jaw discomfort.²

Still, a worn tooth doesn’t automatically mean you grind at night. The wear may reflect years of contact, and other processes can contribute too. Your dentist considers the pattern, your symptoms and whether the damage is progressing rather than drawing a conclusion from one flat edge.¹

What are the signs of dental attrition?

Changes can be easy to miss when they develop slowly. You might notice:

Flatter biting surfaces: The areas where upper and lower teeth meet look smoother or less defined.
Shorter-looking teeth: Front teeth may appear shorter as their biting edges wear down.
Worn or chipped edges: An edge may look uneven or feel different against your tongue.
Sensitivity: Wear that exposes dentin, the layer beneath enamel, can make teeth more sensitive.¹^,²

These signs aren't unique to attrition. A chip or sensitive tooth may have another cause, so an exam matters. Tell your dentist if you've also noticed a change in chewing or how your teeth fit together.

You don’t have to wait for pain to bring up visible wear. At the same time, finding wear doesn’t automatically mean you need extensive treatment.¹ The next step is figuring out how much has changed and what that means for your teeth.

How is attrition different from abrasion and erosion?

Tooth wear is a broad term. The cause helps your dentist decide how to manage it:

Attrition: wear from teeth contacting other teeth¹
Abrasion: wear from an outside material rubbing against the tooth, such as abrasive toothpaste used with forceful brushing¹
Erosion: loss of tooth mineral from acids, such as those in acidic drinks or stomach contents, rather than from the acids bacteria produce³

More than one process can affect the same tooth.¹ Acid exposure can soften tooth surfaces, and when it’s combined with abrasive forces such as brushing, wear can happen faster.¹^,³ That’s why questions about your diet or reflux can be relevant even when the most obvious change is a flattened biting edge.

If acid exposure is also involved, addressing tooth erosion may become part of your care plan.

How do dentists assess tooth wear?

Your dentist looks at the worn areas, checks how your teeth meet and asks about changes you've noticed. Mention sensitivity, jaw soreness, daytime clenching or grinding that someone has heard while you sleep.²

They may also ask about acidic drinks, reflux and brushing habits.¹^,³ The goal is to understand the cause before deciding how to protect or restore the teeth.¹

Comparing records over time can help show whether wear is progressing. Your dentist may use photographs or models to document the tooth surfaces.¹ Ask what they found and what they'll compare at your next visit. An X-ray may be useful for another concern, but it doesn't replace examining the wear itself.

How is dental attrition treated?

Treatment depends on the amount of wear, its cause and whether it's affecting comfort, appearance or chewing. Mild wear may be monitored, while more extensive damage may need restoration.¹

If grinding or clenching is contributing, your dentist may discuss ways to reduce those habits or recommend a protective appliance. A night guard keeps your teeth apart so they’re better protected. It may also ease some of the muscle activity from grinding and clenching, but it isn’t a guaranteed way to stop the habit.²

Teeth that need rebuilding may be treated with bonded material or crowns, depending on the remaining structure and the overall treatment plan.¹ Not every worn edge needs a crown. Ask which options would address your concern and why your dentist recommends one over another.

Enamel that’s physically worn away doesn’t grow back. Restorative treatment can replace missing structure, while preventive care helps protect what remains. Fixing the shape of a tooth and managing the cause of its wear are both part of the discussion.¹

If you've noticed new sensitivity, chipping or changes in chewing, schedule an examination with your local dental provider to find out what's happening.