Tooth erosion happens when your enamel begins to wear away and exposes the soft, yellow layer of dentin beneath it. When the enamel on your teeth thins out, your tooth protection is weakened and the inside layers can be exposed to more acid and bacteria. This puts you at greater risk of problems like decay, cavities and infection.

Causes of Tooth Erosion

• • Eating and/or drinking items that are acidic or high in sugar, like soft drinks, fruit juices, candy and energy drinks

• • Frequent heartburn or acid reflux (also known as GERD)

• • Eating disorders like bulimia

• • Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Erosion and staining from drinking too much soda. The enamel has been worn away from around the existing fillings, putting the teeth at higher risk of decay and infection.

Severe erosion from acid reflux.

Erosion from an eating disorder (bulimia).

How to tell if you have tooth erosion:

• • Your teeth are sensitive to hot, cold or both

• • Your teeth appear shiny, transparent, or yellow/discolored

• • Dimples or indentations on the chewing surfaces of your teeth (also known as “cupping”)

• • Changes in size and shape of your teeth as the enamel wears away

Cupping on the chewing surfaces of teeth is a sign of moderate erosion from acid reflux.

As the acid wears away the enamel on your teeth, the size and shape will change.

The soft layers of your teeth become exposed and your teeth may change in color or appear yellow and shiny.