Tooth erosion: advice on a sensitive subject

MISSING TEETH can contribute to erosion of your remaining teeth. So not only might you be upset by an unsightly gap or gaps where teeth have been lost, you may also experience tooth sensitivity, as well as problems chewing. Your teeth may also begin to look shorter on smiling or when speaking. In addition:

Teeth may become less white, as some of the outer enamel surface is lost

Front teeth may become sharp or chipped

Chewing surfaces may wear flat and take on a shiny, pitted appearance.

Restorations such as crowns and bridges may stand proud of the natural teeth.

One possible solution is dental implants. The issue is — if you have a gap or gaps in your mouth where a tooth or teeth used to be, there is a possibility the remaining teeth will come into greater contact than they would have before, when there was that extra barrier in place.

With tooth wear, prevention is better than cure. The good news is, there are some simple steps we can all incorporate into our everyday lives to reduce the risks:

Drink still water or low-fat milk between meals. Limit fruit juice to once per day and avoid fizzy drinks.

Rinse the mouth with water for 15 to 30 seconds after consuming acidic foods or drinks.

Chew sugar-free gum or eat a piece of cheese after consuming acidic food or drink.

Wait at least an hour to brush teeth after consuming any acidic foods or drinks.

Use toothpaste that contains fluoride but is low in abrasivity, with a relatively soft toothbrush.

Use a fluoridated mouthwash every day at a different time from tooth brushing, as well as before or after acidic foods and drinks, to help limit the erosive potential.

If you are suffering from excessive tooth wear and no preventive action is taken, somewhere down the road you will be facing the possibility of extensive and expensive restorative treatment. You may think you are not affected by tooth wear but there is no doubt it is on the increase — more than three quarters of adults and at least half of all children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland show signs of tooth surface loss.

Limit fruit juice to once a day and avoid fizzy drinks

Professor Andrew Eder is a specialist in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics and clinical director of the London Tooth Wear Centre, toothwear.co.uk. He is also professor of restorative dentistry and dental education and an honorary consultant in restorative dentistry at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute