Final answer:
The physiologic wear of hard dental tissue during mastication, or routine chewing, is called attrition, which is a mechanical process distinct from abrasion or erosion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physiologic wear of hard dental tissue resulting from mastication is known as attrition. This natural process occurs due to the continuous contact between teeth when chewing food. Contrary to other forms such as abrasion, which is the wearing away of tooth enamel by forces other than chewing, or erosion, which is the chemical dissolution of tooth structure, attrition primarily results from the physical act of teeth clashing against each other over time. Dental caries, also known as cavities, is related to the metabolic activity of microbes on the teeth and is not synonymous with attrition, which is purely a mechanical process.