Q: I have an abfraction. Could that cause me to lose my tooth, or is tooth loss always caused by receding gums? I can feel a groove in my first upper molar on the left side of my mouth. It sometimes bothers me when I breathe in cold air, but eating sweet food doesn’t bother me.
I wonder if the discomfort is from receding gums, because after eating something hot that burned my mouth in that area, after the burn had healed, the sensitivity continued. Could the abfraction be causing the discomfort, or would you say it’s the receding gums?
The groove isn’t on the whole tooth, but only on the beginning half of it. If I drag my nail across the gum line, only the first part of the tooth has a groove, and only that part is sensitive. If I cover that part and breathe cold air in hard, it doesn’t bother me. If I cover the second part, it does. I know I need to go to the dentist, but don’t have the money right now. Also, I brush too hard sometimes.
A: I would suggest you see a Periodontist for a full mouth evaluation. They are experts in this area. You could have gum recession. That doesn’t mean you automatically will lose the tooth. The sensitivity can be caused by numerous factors, including trauma to the area (burning). Other factors might include root exposure, possible decay in the tooth, and toothbrush abrasion. See the Periodontist for a diagnosis.
Q: Okay, so it’s possible the groove could be from things other than gum disease? Or is it always accompanied by gum disease?
