erosion
Dental erosion is the loss of tooth enamel caused by acids. These are different from the plaque acids that cause decay.
Who gets dental erosion?
A significant proportion of people have some erosion of their tooth enamel, particularly on the front teeth, which are most commonly exposed to acids in drinks. Children are particularly at risk as they are the biggest drinkers of soft and fizzy drinks.
What are the symptoms?
Mild erosion may be symptomless, but the first sign of erosion may be sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods. The tooth may become increasingly painful as the pulp at the centre is affected, and gradually, as the enamel wears away, the teeth may become shorter and darker in colour.
What causes dental erosion?
Erosion is caused both by acids in foods, drinks and some medicines, and also acids rising up from the stomach and digestive tract due to reflux or frequent vomiting. Unlike dental caries, erosion occurs even on plaque-free sites. The acids in the diet most frequently responsible for erosion are fruits and fruit juices (especially citrus juices), vinegary foods and carbonated soft drinks. Swishing or holding foods and drinks in the mouth also keep the acids in contact with the teeth for longer than normal and can promote erosion. Some people who work in acidic environments, e.g. with lead acid batteries, or wine tasters, may also develop erosion.
How can it be treated?
It's important that erosion is treated early to prevent it getting worse, so regular dental check-ups are vital. Raise the issue with your dentist if you are concerned. The dentist will monitor the changes in the teeth, and discuss diet and other issues that may be causing the acidity. Changes in eating habits may be enough if the erosion is mild, but restorative treatment may be needed if it is severe.
How can the risk of dental erosion be reduced?
Preventive measures to help protect against erosion:
- Soft or medium type toothbrush
- Low abrasive fluoride containing toothpaste
- No tooth brushing immediately before or following an acid challenge
- Regular visits to the dentist
- Chew ORBIT Complete sugarfree gum after an acid challenge
- Reduce frequency of consumption of acid foods and beverages
- Restrict acid foods to main meals
- Finish meal with neutral food rather than acid food
- Drink acid beverages quickly or through a straw, do not sip or swish around
- Rinse with water after acid consumption
How can ORBIT Complete sugarfree gum help?
Saliva plays an important role in preventing erosion. Chewing ORBIT Complete sugarfree gum has been proven to stimulate saliva by up to 10 times the normal rate – what’s more, stimulated saliva contains more of the beneficial minerals which help neutralise acids and repair teeth.
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