Shattered Teeth

Question

I met an older man with many broken teeth. Not decayed, just fractured. It looked painful and almost as if he was hit in the mouth by something at one time. I’ve seen plenty of older people with tooth loss, but this was like actual pieces of his teeth missing with jagged edges.

Is there a medical condition that could cause extensive fracturing of the teeth without obvious decay? I know this gentleman does drink and smoke, but I heard that only affects the gum and jaw. Not really causing the teeth themselves to break.

Or should I assume he really was injured at some point in the past? His job was in an office most of his life.

Answer 1

Could be from grinding