Created 2/28/2023
Updated 12/15/2023
Dental erosion is not a total synonym of enamel wear, but a partial one. In fact, erosion is one of the four types of dental wear that can occur. However, all of them have in common the fact that, progressively, the loss of enamel, the outer layer of the teeth, occurs. The differences, on the other hand, have to do with the causes that lead to this situation.
Thus, erosion occurs when enamel wear occurs as a result of the action of acids other than those present in the bacterial plaque. In this sense, abrasion is generally caused by the application of too much force during brushing. Aphrition, in masticatory and occlusal forces. Finally, abfraction, the grinding of the teeth characteristic of bruxism.
In this article, from our dental clinic in Ibiza, we explain the types of dental erosion that exist and what treatments can be carried out in this situation.
Types of dental erosion
In general, we can differentiate between two types of dental erosion: intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic dental erosion is a type of enamel wear caused by the body itself. For example, it is common among patients suffering from stomach pathologies, such as heartburn and gastric reflux. On the other hand, extrinsic erosion is caused by excessive consumption of food and/or medication. In particular, the consumption of sugary products and carbonated beverages favors this situation.
What symptoms may appear?
There are some indications that a patient may be suffering from dental erosion, such as:
- Tooth discoloration. When the enamel wears away, the teeth become yellow, as the dentin, the inner part of the tooth is exposed.
- Dental sensitivity. As a direct consequence of the loss of enamel, it is especially intense when products are consumed too cold or too hot.
- Shorter and smaller teeth. It is also common for the edges of the teeth to lose their opacity.
What treatments can we perform for dental erosion?
The treatment for dental erosion is different depending on the severity of its consequences. First of all, it is essential to detect the origin of the disease in order to decide on the appropriate treatment.
When the erosion is moderate, we can reinforce the affected teeth with the placement of composite or porcelain veneers. When it is severe, it is usually preferable to opt for the reconstruction of the tooth with dental inlays or crowns.
What is dental erosion and what are the types of wear?
As mentioned above, there are four types of dental wear. All wear involves the progressive loss of tooth enamel, i.e. the outer layer of the teeth. The difference between the different types lies mainly in the cause that has provoked it. Let us explain briefly, before focusing only on erosion, which are the types of wear we encounter:
- Attrition: is caused by occlusal (bite) and masticatory forces.
- Abfraction: this is wear caused by grinding and rubbing between teeth (bruxism).
- Dental abrasion: caused by improper brushing technique, for example, due to excessive brushing pressure on the teeth.
- Erosion: when the enamel is damaged by acids other than those present in the bacterial plaque.
Dentists distinguish between two types of dental erosion:
- Intrinsic erosion refers to this type of erosion when its cause is found in the human organism itself. It is especially frequent in people who have stomach problems and have a feeling of acidity or a rise of gastric juices in the mouth. It is equally frequent in people with psychological or eating disorders -bulimia and anorexia-.
- Extrinsic erosion On the other hand, extrinsic erosion occurs when the erosion is caused by the ingestion of certain medications or foods. Daily intake of chewable vitamin C supplements or those containing a high content of hydrochloric acid may accelerate wasting. Similarly, an unhealthy diet based on sugary foods and carbonated beverages makes the oral cavity a very acidic environment. For example, it is possible to experience dental erosion from drinking too much lemon. At this point, we clarify that a person can suffer dental erosion due to extrinsic and intrinsic causes at the same time.
Dental erosion is closely related to people’s lifestyle, so it is essential to prevent risk factors.
What foods promote dental erosion?
Practically the constant ingestion of foods with a high sugar or acid content leads to dental erosion. Carbonated beverages, soft drinks, wine. Highly acidic fruits, such as citrus fruits and their juices: orange, lemon, lime, etc. Beverages containing too much sugar, such as concentrated fruit juices. Foods with a high sugar content because, although this ingredient is not an acidic product, it does favor the erosive action on the teeth.
What are the symptoms of dental erosion?
Enamel is the hardest layer of the entire human body and its function is to coat the teeth to protect their internal structure from pathogens. Despite their resistance, there are many factors that contribute to their wear, compromising the health of the teeth.
You may suspect dental erosion if you experience one or more of these symptoms:
- Discoloration of the teeth when the enamel wears away and becomes thinner, exposing the dentin, which has a characteristic yellow tone. This second layer is the one that provides the color to the pieces, but if it is exposed we will have a less white smile. Therefore, it is a clear indication that we are dealing with a case of dental erosion. Dental sensitivity Dentin is much more sensitive to external agents than enamel, so if it is not well protected, we will have greater sensitivity. This unpleasant sensation can appear in an intense and localized form when eating very cold or hot foods, as well as excessively sugary foods.
- Tooth sensitivity smaller teeth, as the amount of enamel we have decreases, the pieces present a more rounded shape and become smaller. It is common for dental edges to lose their opacity, becoming more transparent or even showing fissures.
What are the consequences of dental erosion for our teeth?
The consequences of erosion are practically the same as the symptoms. They mainly affect esthetics but, in the long term, the pieces become more fragile and are susceptible to fracture. First of all, the white color of the enamel is impaired. The teeth have whitish stains that, with the passage of time, become darker. This factor can have a negative impact on the self-esteem of people suffering from this condition, having problems when smiling in public. As the teeth lose surface area, their ability to chew properly is reduced, especially if the wear occurs on the molars. And all this without forgetting that dental sensitivity is one of the effects that patients notice the most, as it interferes with their daily life. It is easier to prevent erosion than to treat the tooth to restore lost enamel.
How is dental erosion diagnosed?
In the most incipient stages, erosion may not be easily diagnosed, since it has no clear symptoms and is very gradual. However, in more advanced stages of the pathology, enamel damage becomes irreversible and more evident.
If you need more information or would like to make an appointment, you can contact us at 93 272 48 30 (Barcelona) / 971 315 374 (Ibiza) or leave us your details in the form on our website.
At IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza, we follow editorial principles that guarantee the authenticity of all the information we disseminate. If you are interested in learning more about how we ensure that our content is always up-to-date and accurately supported, we invite you to review our editorial commitment.
This article has been supervised by Dr. Ferran Novell Costa and Dra. Erjona Demiraj, specialists in Dental Health and Dental Aesthetics treatments. Responsible for the treatments provided at IMOI Barcelona and IMOI Ibiza and for the supervision and/or updating of the contents of this blog entry. (7/11/2023). The recommendations described are not generic and do not replace the diagnosis and evaluation of a professional in a dental office. If you want us to clarify any aspect or you want a personalized diagnosis and advice we recommend you to come to our dental clinics.
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