Tooth erosion is the loss of enamel — the hard outer coating of your teeth — caused by acid attack. Unlike tooth decay, which is caused by bacteria, erosion is a direct chemical process: acid dissolves the enamel surface.
Erosion is irreversible — once enamel is lost, it cannot grow back. However, the process can be slowed or stopped, and damaged teeth can be restored.
Erosion is increasingly common in the UK, particularly in younger people, partly due to higher consumption of fizzy drinks, sports drinks, and fruit juices.
What causes tooth erosion?
Erosion comes from two main sources of acid — dietary and internal:
Dietary (from what you eat and drink):
Fizzy drinks (including diet versions) — all contain carbonic acid
Fruit juices, smoothies, and squashes
Sports and energy drinks
Citrus fruits and vinegar-based foods
Excessive amounts of acidic foods like pickles, tomatoes, and citrus
White wine and cider
Internal (from stomach acid reaching the mouth):
Acid reflux (GORD) — stomach acid rising into the throat and mouth
Frequent vomiting — from conditions such as bulimia, morning sickness in pregnancy, or chronic illness
Hiatus hernia — can allow acid to escape from the stomach
Signs and symptoms
Erosion is often painless in the early stages, which is why it frequently goes unnoticed until it is quite advanced. Signs your dentist may spot — and that you may notice yourself — include:
Teeth that look shorter or more rounded than they used to
Smooth, shiny surfaces on teeth — a sign that enamel has been dissolved
Teeth that appear more yellow — as the underlying dentine shows through thinner enamel
Dents or cupping on the biting surfaces of back teeth
Increased tooth sensitivity — especially to cold, hot, or sweet things
Front teeth that look transparent at the edges
Fillings that seem to be "rising up" and sticking out — because the surrounding tooth has eroded away
How is tooth erosion treated?
The first and most important step is to identify and reduce the acid source. Your dentist will help you work out what is causing the erosion.
Treatment of the damaged teeth depends on the severity:
Early erosion — monitoring, fluoride treatments, and dietary changes to slow or stop further loss.
Sensitive exposed dentine — desensitising treatments, fluoride varnish, or bonding resin applied to sensitive areas.
Moderate to severe erosion — damaged tooth surfaces may be built up with composite bonding (tooth-coloured material), or in more advanced cases, with dental veneers or crowns.
If erosion is linked to acid reflux or an eating disorder, your dentist will recommend that you see your GP so the underlying medical cause can be managed alongside your dental care.
What you can do at home
Protecting what enamel you have left is vital. Here is what you can do:
Reduce how often you consume acidic food and drinks — have them at mealtimes rather than throughout the day.
Use a straw for acidic drinks so the liquid bypasses your teeth.
Rinse with water after eating or drinking anything acidic — this helps neutralise acid quickly.
Wait 30–60 minutes before brushing after an acid challenge — a meal, an acidic drink, or an episode of vomiting. Brushing while enamel is temporarily softened by acid makes erosion worse. After vomiting, rinse your mouth with water (or a fluoride mouthwash) first to neutralise the acid, then wait before brushing.
Chew sugar-free gum after meals — it stimulates saliva, which neutralises acid and helps remineralise enamel.
Finish meals with water, milk, or cheese — these help neutralise acid.
Use a fluoride toothpaste and consider a high-fluoride prescription product if recommended by your dentist.
When to see your dentist
Book an appointment if you notice:
Increasing sensitivity in your teeth
Visible changes to the shape or appearance of your teeth
Teeth that look shorter, more rounded, or increasingly yellow
If you have frequent heartburn, acid reflux, or a history of an eating disorder, please tell your dentist — they need to know in order to give you appropriate care. Your dentist will keep a careful record of erosion over time using photographs and study models to monitor whether it is progressing.
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. Your dentist will discuss your individual circumstances and any risks and treatment specific to you. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances.
References
Aligned with guidance from: NICE, SDCEP, FGDP(UK), DBOH.