Erosion
Written by Dentist Rune Skou, 2008-20-12Last update: 2010-01-01
Dental erosion occurs when a tooth’s hard tissues are removed by an acidic reaction – no bacteria are involved. It is especially prevalent in younger people.
How it works:
Erosion is mainly caused by the acids in soft drinks, juices and acidic fruits, but can also be induced by frequent vomiting and acid reflux.
Every time you consume something acidic, the pH levels inside your mouth drop temporarily. When this happens, acid eats away at your teeth until the pH balance returns to normal. When your teeth are exposed to low pH levels for long periods, erosion occurs.
The body’s defence mechanisms:
The body first defends itself against erosion through salivation: your mouth waters every time you eat or drink something acidic which reduces the strength of the acid contained. Proteins and ions contained in saliva also buffer reductions in pH levels caused by acidic foods.
Risk factors:
- Decreased or halted salivation
- Frequent intake of acidic food and drink
- Vomiting or acid reflux
Prevention:
The best way to avoid erosion is to limit your intake of acidic food and drink. When you do consume acidic products, try to combine them with other non-acidic foodstuffs – this will reduce the acidic products’ corrosive effects.
If you suffer from frequent vomiting or acid reflux, consult your doctor to resolve the problem. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with water, brush your tongue [but not your teeth], and chew sugar-free gum after every attack.
What will your dentist/dental hygenist do?
Treating erosion can be complicated, so prevention is often the best form of defence.
If your teeth have already been damaged and your layers of enamel have been thinned or removed, the affected teeth will be treated by fitting them with new crowns.
When the teeth are symptom-free but a small amount of enamel is missing from a cosmetically-important tooth, a composite filling may be used.
If you suffer from frequent vomiting or acid reflux, your dentist will be likely to refer you to a doctor for a thorough examination of the problem.