Erosion

Dental erosion or erosive tooth wear is the loss of the tooth structure caused by the combined influence of the chemical and mechanical forces. Some of the signs and symptoms of dental erosion include the dull and yellowish appearance of the teeth, flattened chewing surfaces of the back teeth and thinned-out edges of the front teeth, as well as general tooth sensitivity. Even before you can see or feel these signs of damage, the acids in your mouth begin dissolving protective enamel away making it easier for otherwise “normal”, everyday activities to damage your teeth. If you ingest large quantities of acid-containing food or beverages, have a gastro-esophageal reflux disorder (GERD), vomit frequently, take certain medications or dietary supplements, or experience dry mouth, you might be more prone to have erosive wear on your teeth.

How does erosion work:

• The first step of the erosive tooth wear process is softening of the tooth surface. Just like lemon juice can destroy solid granite over time, the acids you consume or the acids from your stomach soften the outer layer of the teeth.
• Once the top protective layer is softened, brushing, eating, and other regular everyday activities slowly remove the enamel and expose the underlying structures.
• When the tooth-protective outer surface is compromised, other environmental factors continue stripping away the tooth structure leading to more and more damage over time. The loss of the tooth structure makes the mouth more vulnerable to other diseases such as dental caries, jaw pain, severe sensitivity, and others.