Understanding Tooth Erosion
Tooth erosion is when acid slowly dissolves your tooth enamel. It is becoming more common. Learn how to spot it and protect your teeth.
What is tooth erosion?
Tooth erosion is the loss of enamel, the hard outer coating of your teeth. It is caused by acid.
Tooth decay is caused by germs (bacteria), but erosion is different. Acid dissolves the enamel surface directly.
Erosion cannot be undone. Once enamel is lost, it does not grow back. But erosion can be slowed or stopped, and damaged teeth can be repaired.
Erosion is becoming more common in the UK, mostly in younger people. This is partly because people drink more fizzy drinks, sports drinks and fruit juice.
What causes tooth erosion?
The acid comes from two main places: what you eat and drink, and your stomach.
From what you eat and drink:
- Fizzy drinks, including diet ones. They all contain carbonic acid.
- Fruit juice, smoothies and squash
- Sports and energy drinks
- Citrus fruit and foods with vinegar
- Large amounts of acidic foods like pickles, tomatoes and citrus fruit
- White wine and cider
From stomach acid reaching your mouth:
- Acid reflux (GORD). Stomach acid rises into your throat and mouth.
- Being sick often. This can be from conditions such as bulimia, morning sickness in pregnancy, or long-term illness.
- Hiatus hernia. This can let acid escape from your stomach.
Signs and symptoms
Early erosion is often painless. So it often goes unnoticed until it is quite advanced. Your dental team may spot these signs, and you may notice them too:
- Teeth that look shorter or more rounded than before
- Smooth, shiny patches on teeth. This is a sign that enamel has dissolved.
- Teeth that look more yellow. The layer underneath (dentine) shows through the thinner enamel.
- Dips or hollows on the biting surfaces of back teeth
- More tooth sensitivity, mostly to cold, hot or sweet things
- Front teeth that look see-through at the edges
- Fillings that seem to "rise up" and stick out, because the tooth around them has worn away
How is tooth erosion treated?
The first and most important step is to find and cut down the source of acid. Your dental team will help you work out what is causing the erosion.
Treatment for damaged teeth depends on how bad the erosion is:
- Early erosion. Your dental team keeps an eye on it. You may have fluoride treatment and make changes to what you eat and drink. This can slow or stop further loss.
- Sensitive, bare dentine. Your dental team can use sensitivity treatment, fluoride varnish or bonding resin on the sensitive areas.
- Moderate to severe erosion. Damaged teeth may be built up with tooth-coloured material (composite bonding). In more advanced cases, veneers or crowns may be used.
Erosion may be linked to acid reflux or an eating disorder. If so, your dental team will suggest you see your GP. Then the medical cause can be treated alongside your dental care.
What you can do at home
It is vital to protect the enamel you have left. Here is what you can do:
- Have acidic food and drinks less often. Have them at mealtimes, not through the day.
- Use a straw for acidic drinks, so the drink goes past your teeth.
- Rinse with water after eating or drinking anything acidic. This helps cancel out the acid quickly.
- Wait 30–60 minutes before brushing after an acid attack. This means after a meal, an acidic drink or being sick. Acid softens enamel for a while, and brushing then makes erosion worse.
- After being sick, first rinse your mouth with water (or a fluoride mouthwash) to cancel out the acid. Then wait before brushing.
- Chew sugar-free gum after meals. It makes more saliva, which cancels out acid and helps repair enamel.
- Finish meals with water, milk or cheese. These help cancel out acid.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste. If your dental team recommends it, think about a high-fluoride prescription product.
When to see your dental team
Book an appointment if you notice:
- Your teeth are getting more sensitive
- Changes you can see in the shape or look of your teeth
- Teeth that look shorter, more rounded or more yellow
Tell your dental team if you often have heartburn or acid reflux, or have had an eating disorder. They need to know this to give you the right care.
Your dental team will keep a careful record of erosion over time. They use photos and models of your teeth (study models). This shows whether it is getting worse.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dental team will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks and treatment specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
Sources
- Clinical guidelines for dental erosion. Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2021.
- Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention, 4th edition. Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, 2021, updated September 2025.
- Dental erosion. Oral Health Foundation.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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