DENTAL EROSION

• Dental erosion


  The progressive and irreversible loss of dental hard tissue caused by a chemical process of acid dissolution that does not involve bacteria
• Acid reflux and some medications can contribute to erosive tooth wear
• The most significant source of acid for tooth erosion is the diet
• Factors influencing erosive tooth wear

  • Frequency of consumption
  • Patterns of consumption
  • Time in contact with acidic food or beverage
• pH and buffering capacity


  Collectively determine how erosive a food or beverage is
• Yogurt has a pH of about 4.0, but is not considered erosive due its high calcium content, which acts as a buffer
• Foods/beverages associated with erosive tooth wear

  • Soft drinks
  • Chewable vitamin C tablets
• Foods/beverages not associated with erosive tooth wear

  • Juice
  • Sports drinks
  • Milk
  • Yogurt
• Soft drinks, acidic snacks, and fruit juices increased the odds for tooth erosion in children
• Intake of milk and yogurt was associated with a reduction in the occurrence of erosion
• Intrinsic factors causing dental erosion

  Stomach acid in those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or individuals with who vomit frequently
• Erosion caused by gastric acid

  • Primarily occurs on the palatal and occlusal surfaces of the anterior maxillary teeth and on the buccal and occlusal surfaces of the mandibular teeth
• Erosion caused by extrinsic factors (i.e., dietary factors) commonly affects the facial and occlusal surfaces of teeth
• For more information on dental erosion, visit the ADA Oral Health Topics page on dental erosion