Dental Erosion & Dental Abrasion

Dental Erosion

Enamel is the strongest layer of the tooth and is the first line of defence for teeth. Dental erosion is the loss of the enamel of your teeth due to acids you eat or drink, or acids coming up from your stomach. These acids can dissolve enamel crystals damage the surface of teeth.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Teeth become dull and yellow in colour.
  • Increased sensitivity to hot and cold food/drinks.
  • Some severe cases of erosion can result in constant toothache which may require root canal treatment or removal of a tooth.

Causes of enamel erosion

Common causes include

  • Acidic food and drinks.
  • Acid reflux.
  • Recurrent/constant vomiting- i.e. pregnancy.

How to prevent Dental Erosion

Following are the steps to prevent or stop dental erosion:

  • Reduce intake of acidic food and beverages.
  • Rinse your mouth with water after vomiting, eating or drinking acidic food & beverages.
  • Chewing sugar-free gum can increase saliva flow, which helps remove the acid.
  • Use a soft bristle brush and high fluoride toothpaste when you brush your teeth.

Dental Abrasion

There are several different possible sources of tooth abrasion, including • Parafunctional habit – grinding and clenching of teeth • Excessive pressure while brushing teeth • Habits- ie. nail-biting.

TREATMENT

Treatment of Abrasion mainly focuses on the prevention of damage to teeth structure. Dentists can also make an “occlusal splint” that can be worn at night time to prevent any damage due to parafunctional habit. Some severe cases of abrasion require Dental restorations to restore the size and shape of teeth.