What is Enamel Erosion?
Enamel erosion, also known as tooth acid wear or dental erosion, is a common problem that can occur at any age. The enamel surface of your tooth is dissolved and softened by contact with acids. These acids usually come from your stomach or from food and drinks.
When you grind or chew with your teeth, this will slowly “wear” your teeth to give it the flatten look. Teeth with acid erosion will also tend to be more yellow in colour and some may have spots of wear.
Common Causes of Dental Erosion
Acid wear on your teeth can be caused by several issues including:
Gastric Acid (eg. reflux, bulimia)
If you suffer from reflux (however mild) or conditions like bulimia, this means that your stomach acid may find its way into your mouth. This makes your mouth and saliva more acidic – resulting in the softening and dissolving of your tooth enamel.
Diet
Consumption of acidic foods and drinks (eg. soft drink) will increase the likelihood that your mouth is in contact with more acidic saliva and in turn, may cause possible reflux.
It’s important to note that reflux is a separate subject and there are many foods that are not acidic that can cause reflux.
Teeth Grinding
When you grind your teeth whilst your teeth is bathed in acidic saliva, this greatly increased the rate of wear and erosion of your enamel.
Hard Brushing
Similar to grinding, the softening of your enamel from acidic saliva means when you brush your teeth with a hard toothbrush, it will wear down the surfaces (sides) of your teeth at an alarming rate.
Damage to the enamel from acid wear is irreversible and permanent so prevention is key!
Enamel Erosion Treatment
You should identify the root cause of your acid wear as the first step.
Reflux
You should talk to your GP about managing reflux. There can be link between sleep issues (including sleep apnoea) and reflux so get that checked as well.
Diet
- Identify any obvious/hidden acids in your diet.
- Nearly every drink that isn’t water is acidic (e.g. fruit juice, soft drinks, sports drinks, alcohol).
- Excess citrus fruits (e.g. water with lemon).
- Only have water after working out at the gym/sports. You are already dehydrated so consuming acidic drinks / food (e.g. oranges at half time!) will create a lot more acid wear.
- Drink water / rinse your mouth after having something acidic.
Bulimia
Please consult your GP/psychologist for help in managing this condition. There are always options available to overcome this. Feel free to talk to us as well for help.
Teeth Grinding
If teeth grinding is one of the causes of your worn down teeth – consider the use of an occlusal splint (night mouth guard) to help with the protection of your teeth. Please note that you must be checked for any sleep problems first.
Hard Brushing
Brushing too hard? We recommend the use of a soft bristle brush, and brushing in circular motions.
Don’t brush straight after an acid attack (eating or drinking). You will soften your enamel if you brush it immediately after food.
Already damaged teeth?
Depending on the amount of damage done – there are several treatment options.
Mild acid wear that is not getting worse can just be monitored with no treatment.
Moderate to severe cases may require full mouth rehabilitation in the forms of full coverage fillings or multiple crowns.
Teeth which have acid wear are much more difficult to do fillings on because the quality of the enamel is poor. You are at a much higher risk of fillings not bonding and coming off/breaking. Best to talk to your dentist about your options.
Contact Cranbourne North Dental For Enamel Erosion
If you have tooth enamel acid erosion, Cranbourne North Dental can help. Our experienced team will assess your situation, identify the underlying cause, and provide personalised solutions to improve your oral health. Don’t let your worn teeth affect your oral health — schedule a consultation with us today and take the first step towards healthier teeth and gums.
Our Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fix Enamel Erosion?
Yes, acid wear can be fixed. This depends on how much damage has been done and your budget. Extreme wear cases may need a full mouth of treatment as acid wear generally affects all teeth.
Can dental erosion lead to tooth loss?
If left untreated, severe cases can have teeth worn down to their stumps, exposing the nerve canals and hence resulting in the need for tooth removal or root canal.
Does acid wear hurt?
Generally no, however some cases can still get sensitivity due to exposed dentine and nerve endings.
