Heard the word erosion at your last checkup and not sure what it means for you? Our Milton team explains acid wear, checks how far it has gone, and talks through protection before any repair.
Many people first hear about erosion during an ordinary cleaning appointment. A hygienist points out a smooth, slightly hollowed patch, and suddenly there is a new word to look up. Erosion simply means tooth structure worn by acids that do not come from bacteria. It is a different process from a cavity, though the two can sit side by side in one mouth.
The term on its own says little about what to do next. Some worn areas are small and stable for years; others are changing and deserve closer attention. Grinding, an enthusiastic brushing technique, and older fillings can all leave marks that resemble acid wear, so a careful look at the pattern comes before any conclusion about cause or treatment.
For people here in Milton, an erosion assessment is usually a conversation as much as an examination. We ask about drinks, meals, dry mouth, reflux and general health, and we explain why each question matters. Sensitive topics can be discussed privately. The goal is a clear picture of what is happening and a plan that protects the teeth you have.
Try to recall roughly when a difference first appeared and whether it has been getting worse. Old photographs or dental records can add context, though only an examination can tell us what they really mean.
Front edges might seem glassy or slightly see-through, and back teeth may have shallow cupped areas. The dentist maps where the wear sits and compares it with your other findings. How a tooth looks today does not reveal how quickly it changed or whether it is still changing.
Discomfort with chilled drinks, sweets or citrus has several possible causes. Note what sets it off, how long it lasts and which tooth seems involved. The strength of sensitivity is not a gauge of how much enamel is gone, and one very painful tooth may point to a separate problem.
Sipping acidic drinks often, heartburn or reflux, and repeated vomiting can all be relevant. Share as much as you are comfortable sharing. We look at how to protect the teeth and whether a doctor’s input could help with an exposure that dental care cannot fix on its own.
Please keep taking prescribed medicines and avoid cutting out whole food groups on your own. Bring a current medication list and any relevant health details so dental advice can be coordinated with your doctor or other provider.
Enamel that has been lost does not regrow, and a filling placed over a worn spot leaves the acid source untouched. For that reason, erosion care usually starts by identifying and reducing whatever is driving the wear. Managing sensitivity and preventing further loss sit alongside any decision to restore a damaged surface.
Plenty of worn areas never need a restoration. Whether one does depends on how deep the change is, how it feels, how the teeth work together, how they look and whether the wear is advancing. It helps to ask what the dentist will watch for and what change would alter the advice, so each review has a clear purpose.
Patient information: American Dental Association — dental erosion
The surfaces involved can hint at what has been contributing, and linking those clues with your history makes the explanation more useful. Often more than one factor is at work, and a good assessment says so rather than naming a single culprit.
Recommendations should work around your job, meals, exercise and health needs. Let the team know which changes feel hard, so the plan can be shaped into steps that suit a real week rather than an ideal one.
When a restoration is suggested, ask what it is meant to achieve: shielding an exposed area, easing discomfort, rebuilding lost shape or helping the bite. A repair should serve a clear purpose, not simply make every tooth match.
There is no need to work out the cause before you come in. If we ask for a note of symptoms or a sample day of eating and drinking, a rough account is fine. Honest answers help far more than a flawless log.
We cover what you have noticed, any medical conditions and the medicines you take. Questions about reflux, vomiting, dry mouth and diet may come up. If some of this feels personal, tell us and we will make space to discuss it privately.
The dentist examines your teeth, current fillings and bite. Notes, photographs or other suitable records help document where things stand today. Further tests are only arranged when they would answer a specific question, not as a routine extra for everyone.
We discuss which exposures can realistically change, how to handle sensitivity and whether any tooth needs repair. If medical care is involved, dental advice can be lined up with it. Ask for the stages of treatment and an estimate of costs before agreeing to restorative work.
At a later visit we compare your symptoms, how the plan has fitted your life and any change in the teeth. The interval depends on what we found. If concerns remain or the wear seems to continue, the plan may need more investigation or adjustment.
Follow the advice that matches your own risks. Protecting enamel should fit alongside a balanced diet and good general health, not make you anxious about every snack.
When a specific drink or habit seems to be contributing, talk about having it less often and with meals. Try not to hold or swirl acidic drinks in your mouth. Water between meals is an easy swap for many people.
Keep using a suitable fluoride toothpaste, and skip gritty products or hard scrubbing. Ask which brush, paste and method suit you. A specialised toothpaste can help, but it does not take the place of dealing with the acid itself.
See a doctor about ongoing reflux or vomiting, and mention persistent dry mouth. Never change a medication on your own. After vomiting, a rinse with plain water can help clear acid; ask us for personal advice if episodes recur.
Patient information: UK oral health guidance — managing and monitoring tooth wear
A new diagnosis often brings questions about habits, products and what happens next. We answer them in light of the wear actually present in your mouth and any health factors involved.
Book a visit at our Bronte Street practice to talk about changes in shape, texture or sensitivity. Come with questions about daily habits and any health history that might be relevant. We will explain what we find and how to protect, and where needed restore, your teeth.
Severe pain or swelling? Please phone the clinic. Online requests are for appointments that are not urgent.
