Enamel Erosion

A clinician may see loss of enamel texture, or cupping and flattening on biting surfaces. These changes can develop before they are obvious to you.

Acid from inside the body, such as acid reflux or repeated vomiting, can contribute to erosion. Acidic foods and drinks are external causes; frequent soft drinks, acidic sweets, and acidic fruit juice can raise the risk.

Early tooth wear can be subtle. If erosion and other wear processes continue, structural breakdown can become severe enough to need major rehabilitative treatment.

Frequent carbonated soft drinks are a primary risk factor for erosive tooth wear. Holding, swishing, or straining an acidic drink between the teeth also increases the acidic challenge to enamel.

Checking for erosion involves a careful clinical examination and an evaluation of possible acid exposures. The assessment looks for visible wear signs and the factors that may be driving them.

Care begins by reducing further erosion through lifestyle and dietary changes. Restorative treatment may be used to halt progression when erosive lesions need it.

Care may involve preventive changes alone or restorative treatment to halt erosive lesions. The amount of restorative treatment needed is therefore one practical part of the care involved.

Erosive demineralisation can lead to progressive, irreversible loss of tooth mineral. Erosion can also strengthen the damaging effect of abrasion or tooth-to-tooth wear.

Avoid dietary acids between meals and reduce acidic beverages. Drink water with acidic foods or rinse with water afterwards; after vomiting, rinse with water, a sodium bicarbonate rinse, or milk instead of brushing immediately.