Causes:

Every time you take in acidic foods/drinks, the  enamel of the teeth loses its mineral layer and becomes less hard for a short time. Subsequently, the minerals present in the saliva will cancel out this acidity, and help the enamel to get  back to its natural condition. However, if this happens too often, the saliva will not have enough time to balance the acid attack, the enamel does not recover its mineral layer and that makes it more prone to wear and decay. Over time, you start to lose the surface of your teeth which can be noticeable.

Here are some potential examples:

Sugars and acids: the result of the degradation of the sugar present in lollies and fizzy drinks is acid. So, sugar is not only the factor affecting your smile. Fizzy carbonated drinks, fruit juices -particularly citrus ones- like lemon and orange contain natural acids which when consumed excessively, are harmful to your teeth. Also, sports diet drinks contain high amounts of acids and sugars and have the potential of causing dental erosion and decay.

Saliva flow: Caffeine, certain medications, aging and stress all contribute to lower saliva flow, thus weakens the protection layer of saliva and causes dental wear.

Excessive forces on teeth like grinding and clenching habits leads to tooth erosion.

Gastric disorders: gastric reflux is a digestive disorder that occurs when acid stomach juices come up into the mouth. This also has a major role in tooth wear. People suffering from hiatal hernia or esophageal problems may also suffer from dental erosion due to excessive vomiting.

Excessive alcohol consumption: alcohol decreases saliva flow and creates grastroesophagical problems, causing an acidic environment in your mouth, leaving the enamel of your teeth eroded and prone to cavities and wear.

Eating disorders like bulimia involve vomiting as a compensating act. The acid present of human vomit damages the enamel.

Symptoms

In the earlier stages you can feel:

• Sensitivity and pain when eating hot, cold, sugary/ acidic food/drinks.
• Discolouration/yellowing of the teeth exposing the underneath dentine.
• Teeth edges are round, losing their anatomical structure.
• Thinning/transparency on the edges of the tooth.

Whereas in advanced stages:

• There can be extreme pain and sensitivity.
• Rough, uneven/Cracks edges of  tooth enamel.
• Little dents/cups like appearance on the biting area of the tooth.

Treatment

Dental erosion does not always need a treatment. However, it is crucial that by having good oral hygiene you prevent its associated issues like dental decay. Remember that the protective layer of your teeth is weak or even loss, leaving them prone to decay and wear. Therefore, it is recommendable to use fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwash can greatly help the remineralization process of the tooth.

Regular check-ups and dental guidance can also help you to prevent further tooth damage. During the regular check-ups, the dentist analyzes the cause of your eroded teeth by asking you in detail about dietary habits and lifestyle changes. Thus, the dentist will find the best treatment for rebuilding your worn teeth, and will present to you a variety of techniques that better suit your budget.

Some techniques to protect eroded teeth from decay and sensitivity are:

• Bonded composite fillings in the eroded area of the affected tooth will be enough to repair it.
• Veneers, caps or crowns are considered in more severe cases, or when a ful oral rehabilitation is needed.

Don’t be too worried about the cost. Costs will vary, depending on the type of treatment you need. Your dentist can help further the  detailed information of  treatment and payment.

Here are a number of tips you can do to prevent erosion:

• Rinse your mouth using fluoride containing  mouthwashes.
• Brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste and soft bristled brush  after every meal and also before bedtime. Nighttime brushing and flossing are considered to be the most important of the day.
• Reduce the consumption of acidic foods, fizzy drinks or sodas. If you crave one, try and have it with a meal to reduce the number and frequency of the acid attacks in your mouth, or rinse your mouth immediately after having them.
• Avoid  holding the drinks in your mouth for a long time. Use a straw to help the drinks go directly to the back of your mouth without involving your teeth.
• Avoid too much snacking and drinking during the day. Look for low/no sugar drinks. Water is the best option.
• Eat healthy food.