We have four types of dental wear: abstraction, attrition, abrasion and erosion. In this article, we will talk about dental erosion.
WHAT IS DENTAL EROSION?
It is the progressive loss of tooth enamel associated with its contact with acids that do not involve bacterial action and produces defects in enamel and dentin that occur as wedge-shaped depressions in the vestibular and cervical areas of the teeth.
We can distinguish between two types of erosion: Intrinsic: can be produced from:
- Gastroesophageal reflux:where the acid content of the stomach is regurgitated to the oral cavity, thus exposing the teeth to this acid content. Erosion for this cause is found mostly in posterior teeth and lingual faces of anterior teeth.
- Vomiting:by alcoholism or bulimia. Gastric juices erode the dental surface after repeated episodes of vomiting, generally altering the lingual surfaces of the upper anterior teeth and less frequently on the lingual faces of the lower anterior teeth due to the presence of the tongue that acts as a protective barrier. A characteristic lesion that occurs in a person with bulimia is alterations and undercuts in the incisal edges.
- Extrinsic: occurs when food-related acids, medications or drugs that consume contribute to the formation of a very acidic oral medium. A diet high in sugars, or the well-known carbonated drinks, juices of unnatural fruits, etc., they help create an acidic oral environment, and thus, generate dental erosion.
HOW DO WE DIAGNOSE DENTAL EROSION?
It is possible to suspect the presence of erosion when discolouration of dental parts, dental sensitivity is present when dentin is already affected or when tooth wear is observed.
In the first phase, the spots are white, and yet in more advanced stages, the enamel lesion becomes irreversible.
HOW DO WE PREVENT DENTAL EROSION?
- Periodically go to the dentist.
- Reduce consumption of acidic and carbonated beverages.
- Avoid eating foods such as lemon, garlic, fried foodsthat help cause gastroesophageal reflux.
- Daily dental hygienewith non-abrasive pastes and fluoridated mouthwashes
- Brushing care.
HOW DO WE TREAT DENTAL EROSION?
We will perform one treatment or another depending on the severity of the injury.
Incipient erosion: The patient will simply follow the prevention protocol and will go to the dentist for periodic check-ups.
Moderate erosion: at the time when almost all the enamel structure has been lost, a composite seal will be made.
Severe erosion: when there is a large exposure of dentin in one or several pieces, reconstruction must be reactivated, even in more severe cases it will be necessary to perform a root canal and crown placement or inlays.
As always, at Durham Dentistry, we believe that prevention is the best treatment. In our clinic, you will be advised how to maintain a high degree of dental hygiene so that the onset of dental erosion is avoided.