A survey of factors possibly associated with cervical abrasion of tooth surfaces.

The study indicates that cervical abrasion is related in some way to a factor or factors associated with the initial stages of the tooth-brushing procedure. The evidence, furthermore, demonstrates that an excessive use of dentifrice habitually placed, undiluted, on the same area of the mouth, may produce the abrasion. In view of this evidence, it would seem prudent to advise patients to use decreased quantities of dentifrice and to initiate the brushing procedure on the occlusal surfaces of the teeth to effect a dilution of the dentrifrice. The same effect might be accomplished by alternating the initial placement of the brush between the quadrants to more evenly distribute the abrasive effect. The high percentage of these lesions found in this young age group demonstrates a higher prevalence of the lesion in a younger age group than was previously suspected. We can further conclude that cervical abrasion is related to age and gingival recession. Furthermore, the study indicates that patients who exhibit cervical abrasion have less plaque and the lower bleeding scores than those who do not.