Most erosion care happens at your own sink, not in the dental chair. For anyone coming from Erin or Hillsburgh, we assess the wear and then help you shape a daily routine that genuinely protects enamel.
Think about an ordinary day. Orange juice at breakfast, a quick brush straight afterwards, a sour snack mid-afternoon, a glass of wine with dinner, a rinse with mouthwash right after brushing at bedtime. Each step seems harmless. Taken together, the timing and frequency of acid contact, and what you do next, can make a real difference to how enamel holds up.
Erosion is the slow loss of tooth structure to acid from food, drink or the stomach, with no bacteria involved. That separates it from a cavity, though one mouth can show both. Brushing habits, grinding and existing fillings leave marks of their own, which is why the dentist reads the whole pattern before deciding what is driving the wear.
When you come to see us from Erin, we look at your teeth and then walk through your day with you: drinks, meals, snacks, brushing, health and medicines. Each question has a purpose, and anything sensitive can be discussed privately. The outcome is a routine you can actually follow, plus a clear view on whether any tooth needs repair.
Note when you first spotted a change and if it has grown since. Old dental notes or photographs may help us understand the timeline, alongside a careful examination.
You may see smooth, shiny patches, thinner front edges or little cups on back teeth. The dentist charts where these appear and how they fit with other findings. A tooth’s look today cannot reveal how quickly it changed, or whether the change has stopped.
Perhaps cold water while brushing, or a sour snack, makes teeth twinge. Note the trigger, how long the feeling lasts and where it is. Sensitivity is not a gauge of lost enamel, and one tooth with strong or lasting pain may have another problem.
Juice, wine, sour sweets, soft drinks, reflux or repeated vomiting can all be relevant. Share what you can comfortably share. We look at how to protect your teeth and whether a doctor should be involved in an exposure that dental care cannot remove.
Keep taking any prescribed medicine, and hold off on big dietary changes until we have talked. A list of your medicines and relevant health details helps us coordinate dental advice with your doctor.
Enamel that acid has removed does not grow back, and a restoration cannot change what happens at breakfast or bedtime. That is why a home routine sits at the heart of erosion care. Adjusting when acidic foods and drinks appear, how you brush and which products you use can slow further wear and help with sensitivity.
A worn area may need nothing more than that routine and a periodic check. Repair becomes more likely when wear is deep, uncomfortable, affects chewing or appearance, or is clearly progressing. Ask what the dentist will look at next time and what would change the advice. Then you will know what your efforts at home are aiming for.
Patient information: American Dental Association — dental erosion
Matching the location of wear with your daily routine shows which changes are likely to help. Often several habits contribute, and we explain which are worth tackling first.
Rural schedules, early starts, work and family meals all shape what is practical. Tell us which steps feel hard to keep, and we will adapt them so they slot into your real day.
If a restoration is recommended, ask whether it will protect an exposed area, ease sensitivity, rebuild shape or support chewing. Each one should address something routine alone cannot fix.
You do not need to arrive with answers. If we suggest noting what you eat and drink on a typical day, or when sensitivity strikes, a rough sketch is ideal. Honest beats perfect.
We ask what you have noticed, your daily habits, health conditions and medicines. Reflux, vomiting, a dry mouth and diet may come up. If anything feels private, let us know and we will talk one-on-one.
The dentist checks teeth, existing fillings and bite, and records the wear with notes and photographs or other suitable records. We only add tests if there is a real question they could resolve.
We go through practical changes to timing, brushing and products, how sensitivity will be managed, and whether any tooth needs repair. If your doctor is involved, dental advice can be aligned. Ask for stages and an estimate of costs before restorative work.
Later we look at symptoms, how the routine has worked for you and whether the teeth have changed. Timing depends on findings. If wear continues or the routine is not working, we refine the plan or look further.
Follow the advice chosen for your own risks. A protective routine should support a balanced diet and good health, and still leave room for the foods you enjoy.
If juice, wine or sour snacks seem to contribute, consider having them less often and as part of a meal rather than through the day. Do not swish acidic drinks. Choose plain water or milk between meals.
Use a fluoride toothpaste suited to you, a soft brush and light pressure. Spitting out excess paste without rinsing leaves more fluoride on the teeth. Ask about timing brushing around acidic meals; special toothpastes help but do not remove acid.
See a doctor about ongoing heartburn, reflux or vomiting, and let us know if your mouth is often dry. Do not change medication yourself. After being sick, rinse with water; ask us about tailored care if this happens regularly.
Patient information: UK oral health guidance — managing and monitoring tooth wear
Most questions about erosion come down to everyday habits. We answer with your own teeth and routine in mind.
See us at our Bronte Street practice about worn, sensitive or changing teeth. Bring a rough idea of your daily routine, your medicine list and your questions. You will leave with a clear explanation of the findings and practical steps to protect and, where needed, restore your teeth.
Call us directly about severe pain or swelling. Online requests are for non-urgent appointments.
