Brief, sharp reactions
A cold drink that suddenly stings may mean enamel has thinned over the softer layer beneath. Tell us which teeth react, whether heat does the same, and how long it takes to settle.
Restorative Dentistry
Acid-Wear Treatment in Burlington
Some eroded teeth can safely wait, while others are better repaired soon. For Burlington patients, acid-wear care begins by working out which is which, then building protection and any repair around the real cause.
Repair or watch?Book an acid-wear consultation
Some wear needs fixing. Some needs watching.
Not every worn tooth needs a filling. Erosion happens when acid repeatedly softens enamel until thin layers dissolve; it is a chemical loss, unlike the bacterial damage behind a cavity, though the two can appear together. Early signs include sensitivity, smooth hollows and edges that look faint or fragile.
Before anyone reaches for a drill, the useful question is why the enamel is going. Juice or pop through the day, wine, reflux, frequent vomiting, low saliva and the way your teeth meet can each leave a recognizable pattern. When the cause is clear, the decision to repair or monitor becomes much easier.
People visiting from Burlington often tell us they assumed their habits were too ordinary to mention. They rarely are. Describe what you drink, when teeth feel sensitive and whether your bite has changed.
Worth a closer look
Clues that wear may be active
Erosion often first shows up as a reaction to cold or a small change in a tooth's look. An exam helps separate it from decay, abrasion from brushing, grinding and other reasons for sensitivity.
Tips that look clear
Front teeth can become shorter or develop translucent, slightly ragged edges. Photographs alongside the exam help show whether the wear is still progressing, has been stable for a while, or is a different issue.
Smooth cups on molars
Rounded hollows in chewing surfaces, or fillings that look raised compared with the enamel around them, suggest surface loss. The dentist checks how your teeth meet because grinding and acid often act together.
Colour change on its own does not confirm erosion. It is wise to avoid whitening or switching products until the reason for the change is known.
What care can achieve
Less loss ahead, more comfort now
The early focus is reducing ongoing acid contact and settling sensitivity. Suggestions may involve the timing of certain drinks, a fluoride product, or a word with your doctor if reflux or repeated vomiting might be a factor.
Dissolved enamel cannot be grown back. Where the loss affects comfort, chewing or appearance, restorative work can be planned alongside prevention. How much enamel remains, and where wear is concentrated, shapes whether a small bonded repair is enough or a more involved approach is wiser.
Patient information: ADA — dietary acids and teeth
A reason behind the advice
Your habits, symptoms and the location of wear point to specific changes, rather than a long list of foods to give up.
Prevention before rebuilding
Reducing exposure first means a restoration starts on steadier ground, and you have practical steps to work on between visits.
Clear priorities
Some teeth need observation and comfort care; others need restoring. The plan makes it clear which to address first and which to keep under review.
The assessment
Four stages, at a pace that suits the wear
The appointment links what you feel with what the dentist finds. Care can be staged, particularly when many teeth are involved or a medical cause of acid exposure needs attention.
Share your history
Describe sensitivity, any changes in appearance, eating and drinking habits and health concerns. Bring a list of medications and mention reflux or dryness, even if they seem unrelated.
Record what is there
The dentist examines each surface, existing restorations and your bite. Photos or scans can document the starting point, and X-rays are taken only when they would answer a particular question.
Talk through choices
Go over likely causes, ways to manage sensitivity, and whether restoring anything now makes sense or can wait. Ask which steps address the cause and which replace structure that has already been lost.
Measure the change
Follow-up compares symptoms and surfaces with your first records. The plan is adjusted if wear continues, symptoms change, or a restoration needs shaping.
At home
Habits that give enamel a break
Use the steps recommended for your teeth rather than layering several strong products at once. The aim is a routine you can keep up comfortably.
Limit acid to mealtimes
Drawing out an acidic drink over an afternoon means hours of exposure. Talk with us about what you drink most, including sugar-free options, and choose water between meals when you can.
Gentle, regular cleaning
A soft toothbrush and the fluoride toothpaste advised for you are usually all you need. Ask how long to wait after acidic foods before brushing, instead of scrubbing at once.
Keep a short symptom log
Track when sensitivity, heartburn or dry mouth appears and bring it to reviews. Repeated exposure from a health condition may need medical care alongside dental care.
Frequently asked(905) 876-4488
Before you decide on treatment
These questions come up when people weigh repair against waiting. Your own exam determines what is appropriate.
What decides whether worn enamel is repaired or monitored?
Symptoms, how much structure remains, whether wear is still active and how the teeth function all play a part. Small, stable changes are often watched. Repair is considered when wear causes discomfort, weakens a tooth or affects how you chew.
How often should erosion be rechecked?
That depends on how active the wear seems and your other dental needs. Many people have it reviewed at regular checkups, with photos or scans compared over time. Your dentist will suggest an interval based on what they see, and coming from Burlington, it can often line up with your routine cleaning.
Why do my worn teeth look more yellow?
As enamel thins, the layer underneath, called dentin, shows through more. Dentin is naturally more yellow. That is one reason whitening may not help eroded teeth much, and why the cause should be assessed first.
Is apple cider vinegar bad for teeth?
Vinegar is acidic, and taking it regularly, especially undiluted or sipped slowly, can contribute to erosion. If you use it, mention how and when. The dentist can discuss ways to reduce contact with your teeth.
Can a tooth be bonded while erosion is still happening?
Sometimes, particularly if a tooth is sensitive or weakened. Bonding tends to last better once the acid source is reduced, though. The dentist may suggest addressing habits or medical causes first, then repairing.
Is sensitivity toothpaste a long-term solution?
It can ease symptoms for some people, but less sensitivity does not mean the wear has stopped. A dental exam checks for exposed surfaces, decay or cracks and helps decide whether toothpaste alone is enough or more care is needed.
Burlington acid-wear visits
Decide on care with the full picture.
Thinning teeth, worn surfaces or sensitivity you can't explain? Book a visit to our Bronte Street practice from Burlington and talk it through with us. We will explain what the pattern suggests and map out prevention, monitoring and repair in a sensible order.
If pain becomes intense or swelling develops, call us. Online forms are not suitable for urgent needs.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
- Oakville
- Mississauga
- Georgetown
- Halton Hills
- Acton
- Campbellville
- Brampton
- Burlington
- Puslinch
- Rockwood
- Erin
- Caledon
- Etobicoke
- Old Milton
- Bronte Meadows
- Timberlea
- Dorset Park
- Dempsey
- Clarke
- Beaty
- Coates
- Harrison
- Scott
- Willmott
- Ford
- Bowes
- Cobden
- Walker
- Mountain View
- Milton Heights
- Hawthorne Village
- Valley View
- Fallingbrook
- Nassagaweya
- Trafalgar
- Esquesing
- Nelson
- Brookville
- Moffat
- Glen Williams
- Norval
- Limehouse
- Stewarttown
- Ashgrove
- Hornby
- Silver Creek
- Speyside
- Scotch Block
- North Oakville
- River Oaks
- Glen Abbey
- West Oak Trails
- Palermo
- Bronte Creek
- College Park
- Joshua Creek
- Uptown Core
- Preserve
- Iroquois Ridge
- Lisgar
- Meadowvale
- Meadowvale Village
- Churchill Meadows
- Erin Mills
- Central Erin Mills
- Streetsville
- East Credit
- Creditview
- Heartland
- Sheridan
- Mount Pleasant
- Credit Valley
- Huttonville
- Churchville
- Springbrook
- Northwest Brampton
- Bram West
- Fletcher's Meadow
- Fletcher's Creek South
- Alton Village
- Orchard
- Millcroft
- Headon Forest
- Tansley
- Brant Hills
- Tyandaga
- Kilbride
- Lowville
- Aberfoyle
- Morriston
- Arkell
- Hillsburgh
- Freelton
- Carlisle
- Waterdown
- Flamborough
- Mountsberg
