Self-Care Strategies

Reduce or eliminate para-functional habits

Para-functional habits, such as teeth clenching and grinding, may be a factor in eccentric occlusal loading that leads to tooth flexure potentially resulting in an abfraction lesion (Figure 7).12,68 The microscopic loss of enamel at the cervical portion of the tooth may contribute to dentin hypersensitivity as the tubules become exposed leaving them vulnerable to erosion. Initiating stress reduction methods can reduce these behaviors. Professionally fabricated occlusal night guards can also reduce the effects of unconscious habits such as these.