Home > Erosive Tooth Wear and You

Did you know that 30% of people have their tooth enamel dissolved or worn away?

What is Erosive Tooth Wear

When you look at your teeth, they seem solid, but actually the enamel, the outer layer of your tooth, can slowly dissolve if it’s surrounded by acid, such as that found in fruit juices or some fizzy drinks; this is known as ‘erosion’

Erosion starts when minerals are removed from your teeth, which softens the enamel
The ingredients for re-hardening your teeth are found in saliva so the softening can be repaired
The problem comes when there is too much acid for too long a time in your mouth so the ingredients in saliva don’t get close to the teeth for long enough or the damage (‘erosion’) is larger than the amount of ingredients needed to repair it
If this happens again and again then miniscule amounts of tooth structure can gradually wear away

Erosive tooth wear most often occurs on your front teeth and the biting surfaces of your back teeth

Parts or all of the top layer of tooth, the enamel, may eventually be lost, exposing the next layer, the dentin. Read more about the structure of your teeth and how acid affects your teeth.
You are not alone, erosive tooth wear is common, about a third of all adults have it, though few have it severely

How did I get erosive tooth wear?

One of the most common ways to wear away the tooth is by drinking and eating acidic drinks and foods outside meal times.

A number of drinks and some foods can contribute to erosive tooth wear but the amount of times you consume these, especially by frequent snacking, can also influence the amount of erosion

Fruit

Fruit-based drinks containing citric acid

Carbonated drinks

Alcoholic drinks

Other Foods

Acidic Sweets

Other causes can include:

Some medications/supplements (rare)

Acid reflux and vomiting

You got older

The Statistics

What does it look like?

Signs & Symptoms

Changes in the shape and/or appearance/colour of your teeth - Teeth may become shorter and thinner. It may be your dentist who first notices this but don’t wait, make an appointment if you are concerned about this, even if your teeth aren’t hurting

Sensitive teeth - Pain, sometimes severe, when eating or drinking, especially something cold, when exposed to wind or even when talking. Lasts a few seconds, once the stimulating factor is gone the sensitivity may stop

Prevention & Treatment

What can I do to repair the damage of erosive tooth wear?

A large amount of lost enamel cannot be restored. Early on, when there is just surface softening, toothpastes can help re-harden the enamel. Click here to read more about what the other ingredients in toothpaste do.

Visit the dentist who can give advice tailored just to you. They may provide an in-clinic treatment such as a dentin bonding agent or sealant or a mouth guard if you grind your teeth at night

For those with sensitive teeth, some toothpastes have ingredients that combine with tooth-building ingredients in your saliva to help build enamel. Look for toothpastes with CSPS, stannous fluoride, strontium, etc. Click here to find out more about what causes sensitive teeth. Read more about what the other ingredients in toothpaste do here.

Tooth restoration - Explore the pros and cons here

Restoration with tooth coloured filings: composite resin
Restoration with crowns may be needed as most often more than one tooth is affected, sometimes all of them; these can be complex and possibly costly

Tooth restoration may be considered for reasons of appearance but most often this will be classed as ‘cosmetic’ so you may need to pay for it

What can I do to stop erosive tooth wear?

1. Avoid snacking on acidic fruit and drinks

Cut down on snacking between meals on acidic food and drinks
Fruit is an important part of a healthy diet. Snacking on acidic fruits, such as citrus, apples, pineapples, grapefruit can cause erosive tooth wear. But if you take thee fruits at meal times the risk is very low.
- Less acidic fruits – bananas, coconut
- Most erosive fruits – oranges, pineapple, grapefruit, apples
Cut down on carbonated drinks and fruit juice
- Limit them to mealtimes so they are washed out of the mouth/diluted by food when swallowing
- Don’t sip over a long time

2. Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash

Fluoride combines with the ingredients in saliva to form a tougher version of enamel that is more resistant to acid
Toothpaste should include at least 1450 ppm fluoride, if you have a problem with erosive tooth wear ask your dentist which is best for you
Some toothpastes have ingredients optimised for the prevention of erosive tooth wear. Find out more about the causes of mechanical tooth wear here.
However, don’t brush your teeth after eating or drinking as the acid may remain in the mouth and the action of teeth brushing may make the teeth more, not less exposed to this acid. Also, though it’s hard, refrain from brushing after acid reflux or vomiting, instead gently rinse your mouth with water or ideally something alkaline like a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with water
If you also suffer from sensitivity you may need a toothpaste with other ingredients.

3. Brush carefully

Only brush two times a day
Use a soft-medium toothbrush
Brush in a gentle, circular motion
Do not brush immediately after anything acidic
Seek medical advice if you have erosive tooth wear due to acid reflux or frequent vomiting
If you are on a medication that causes dry mouth, ask if you can be switched to one that doesn’t. Do not stop taking any medication without first consulting your doctor

You can read more in our Patient FAQ's

What can I do to prevent it?