Enamel erosion: causes, prevention and treatment

Dental erosion is the loss of tooth tissue caused by acids that do not come from plaque bacteria. It differs from tooth decay, although both can affect the same tooth. Erosion can develop even when you brush regularly.

Enamel is the hard outer covering of a tooth. Once a noticeable amount has been lost, it does not grow back. The aim is to identify the cause, slow further wear and manage any symptoms or damage.

What might you notice?

Teeth may become sensitive, look thinner or more yellow, or develop shallow hollows on their biting surfaces. Changes can be gradual and painless. A shiny surface, chip or sensitive tooth does not prove that erosion is the cause; other dental problems can look similar.

Your dentist can examine the teeth and record wear over time. Photographs, scans or models may help show whether it is progressing. Tell them about any changes you have noticed rather than trying to diagnose the cause yourself.

Where does the acid come from?

Frequent contact with acidic drinks and foods can contribute. Examples include fruit juice, smoothies, sour sweets, energy drinks and many fizzy drinks, including sugar-free versions. Natural juice can be acidic too. Sugar content and acidity are different issues: a drink without sugar is not automatically harmless to enamel.

Stomach acid reaching the mouth through reflux or repeated vomiting can also cause erosion. If this happens regularly, speak to your GP as well as your dentist. You can discuss eating difficulties or vomiting confidentially; you do not need to manage them alone.

Saliva helps protect teeth by clearing and buffering acids. A persistently dry mouth deserves assessment, particularly if medicines may be involved. Do not stop a prescription without advice.

Grinding causes mechanical tooth wear rather than acid erosion, but different types of wear can occur together. Our bruxism guide explains that distinction in practical terms.

Reducing further wear

Identifying and reducing the source of acid is central to prevention. If particular drinks are contributing, have them less often, keep them to meals and avoid sipping them throughout the day or swishing them around your mouth. Water is a useful alternative between meals.

Keep a balanced diet. You do not need to remove all fruit or nutritious foods simply because some contain acid. Your dental team can help identify the exposures that matter in your situation.

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and avoid forceful scrubbing or abrasive home remedies. Spit out after brushing rather than rinsing the fluoride away. Cleaning between teeth remains important for gum health and decay prevention, but it cannot cancel out repeated acid exposure.

Advice about delaying brushing after acidic food varies. UK prevention guidance does not support a rigid waiting time for everyone; controlling acid exposure matters more. After vomiting, rinse with water and avoid brushing immediately. Ask your dentist for advice suited to your pattern of wear and keep up your twice-daily routine.

Does erosion always need a filling?

No. Mild, stable wear may be monitored while its causes are addressed. Sensitivity may need specific care. Where teeth have lost more structure, the dentist may discuss composite restorations or other options based on the damage and your needs.

A filling alone cannot guarantee that wear will stop if the cause remains. Ask what treatment will achieve, how it will be maintained and when the teeth should be reviewed. Check-up intervals are individual rather than automatically every six months.

The UK guidance on tooth wear explains the main risks and preventive approach. Contact the practice if you have sensitivity or concerns about changes in your teeth.