What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Acid Tooth Erosion
• Dental Erosion

What is Tooth Erosion? (Definition/Background Information)

• Tooth Erosion is a condition where teeth surface get slowly eroded due to exposure to harsh chemicals. The loss of enamel minerals that results in Tooth Erosion is usually an irreversible process
• The outer hard surface of teeth, known as enamel, which protects the sensitive dentin below, wears out gradually (loses minerals) when in contact with acids, from foods and drinks one consumes. This results in tooth pain and sensitivity
• Tooth decay and wearing out of enamel or dentin due to a bacterial infection is not defined as being part of Tooth Erosion
• The symptoms of Tooth Erosion may include shooting pain and discomfort on taking hot or cold food and drinks, presence of chipped teeth, discolored teeth, and increased risk for tooth decay
• The treatment of Tooth Erosion involves the use of dentist-prescribed toothpaste and mouthwashes including gel applications on teeth for a few months (remineralization methods). With appropriate treatment, the prognosis of Tooth Erosion is usually good

Who gets Tooth Erosion? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Any individual of any age may be affected by Tooth Erosion. However, the condition is commonly seen in young children between the ages of 5 and 17 years
• Both males and females are affected
• Racial, ethnic, or geographical predominance is not observed

What are the Risk Factors for Tooth Erosion? (Predisposing Factors)

There are several risk factors for Tooth Erosion and some of these include:

• Food and drinks that include high sugar and carbohydrate content, soft drinks, citrus fruits, alcohol, ketchup, pickles, and even sparkling mineral water
• Poor salivation in mouth causing dry mouth
• Use of certain medications such as aspirin, chewable vitamin C tablets, and anti-allergy medications
• Digestive system disorders including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, leading to increased acids in stomach), hiatal hernia, and underlying inherited genetic disorders
• Eating disorder bulimia can cause Tooth Erosion due to frequent vomiting (vomit contain strong stomach/gastric acids)
• Regularly swimming in chlorinated waters
• Any other factor causing friction or wear and tear of tooth surfaces
• Poor dental care leading to excessive buildup of plaque
• Presence of fractured, chipped, or broken tooth
• Trauma or injury to teeth

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Tooth Erosion? (Etiology)

The tooth enamel may get eroded, chipped away, or broken at the edges to expose the slightly yellow dentin below. Normally, if sufficient time is given, the enamel gets repaired by itself. However, if this is not the case, then there is loss of enamel minerals resulting in a Tooth Erosion.

The factors are termed intrinsic (caused by stomach acids or an underlying health condition) or extrinsic (due to food and drinks one consumes). Some of the main factors causing Tooth Erosion may include:

• Acids in foods with a pH value of 5.5 or less (these include citric and phosphoric acids)
• Use of certain medications
• Poor salivation due to underlying health conditions
• Disorders involving the gastrointestinal tract that lead to exposure of teeth to gastric acids
• Aging causing wearing away of the outer tooth layers

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Erosion?

The signs and symptoms of Tooth Erosion can vary from one individual to another. It may include:

• Mild, severe or shooting pain while taking sweet, hot or cold foods/drinks
• Presence of ridges and dents on tooth surfaces
• Teeth with edges worn out, change in tooth shape
• Increased gaps between teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Any dental cavity fillings (or prosthetic devices) may fit loosely or have gaps beneath them
• Presence of cracked teeth which may indicate severe erosion
• Difficulty in brushing one’s teeth
• Symptoms of underlying health condition, if any

How is Tooth Erosion Diagnosed?

A Tooth Erosion is diagnosed using the following methods:

• Complete physical examination of the mouth and teeth; the dental professional may study the color change (the outer white enamel is worn away exposing the slightly yellowish dentin below)
• Assessment of medical history including the presence of any underlying health conditions, medicines one is currently taking, food and lifestyle habits, etc.
• Use of special instruments to test teeth for sensitivity issues
• Use of laser techniques (laser speckle imaging technique), to study the optical characteristics of eroded teeth

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Tooth Erosion?

Complications due to Tooth Erosion may include:

• Unable to eat or drink properly, especially hot and cold foods
• Worn-out enamel makes teeth higher at risk for dental caries; without treatment, it can lead to severe tooth infection

How is Tooth Erosion Treated?

The treatment options for Tooth Erosion may include:

• The dental professional may prescribe a fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, and/or an oral gel to apply on teeth for a few months
• Washing the mouth with a recommended fluoride compound (sodium fluoride mouthwash or lozenge), which is a remineralizing agent, prior to brushing
• Use of application agents or gels containing fluoride. If the dentin is exposed - using suitable bonding agents
• Treating any underlying health condition
• If necessary, using tooth crowns or dental veneers to protect from further loss of tooth minerals
• Avoid sweet-tasting foods and foods containing acids: These include citrus fruits, soda and carbonated drinks, hot coffee, ice and ice creams, hard and sticky sweets (toffees and candies), tomatoes, etc. for a certain period of time
• Having a diet of fruits and vegetables that are fiber-rich, milk and milk products, etc.

How can Tooth Erosion be Prevented?

The following measures may be considered to prevent Tooth Erosion and avoid aggravation of the condition, in some cases:

• Use of sensitive toothpaste to arrest further Tooth Erosion and adopting a  remineralization regimen
• Take water after eating/drinking; even milk or cheese can help neutralize acids in the mouth, since they contain calcium
• Reduce consumption of sodas, fizzy or carbonated drinks (even milder ones or sports drinks contain acids that can harm teeth); use of straws for such drinks
• Reduce frequency of taking fruit juices that contain orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.
• Chewing on gum (sugar-free) can increase the amount of saliva in mouth that can help dilute the acids
• Do not brush teeth immediately after eating or drinking; wait for a period of 30-60 minutes before doing so
• Use fluoride toothpaste preferably, or other approved toothpastes and mouthwashes
• Use soft to medium bristled toothbrushes
• Do not eat or drink anything (except water) after brushing at night
• Avoid snacking throughout the day or too often
• Drink more water
• Minimize teeth whitening exercises and avoid home teeth bleaching kits, particularly if you have tooth sensitivity issues
• Modify lifestyle to decrease stress

Visit a dental professional regularly to treat or ascertain any dental health issues early.

What is the Prognosis of Tooth Erosion? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• With early and appropriate treatment the prognosis of Tooth Erosion is typically good
• However, the prognosis also depends on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Tooth Erosion:

Please visit our Dental Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

https://www.dovemed.com/healthy-living/dental-health/