Acid Erosion at Sandgate Family Dental
Acid erosion is the gradual loss of enamel caused by acids in food, drinks, or stomach contents — separate from tooth decay caused by plaque bacteria. Caught early, it can usually be slowed or stopped through some practical changes. Left unchecked, it can lead to sensitivity, thinning of the front teeth, and the need for restoration.
At Sandgate Family Dental we help patients identify the causes of acid erosion and put a sensible plan in place. Book an appointment online or phone the practice.
Why patients come in about acid erosion
Erosion often happens slowly. Patients may not notice the early signs themselves and only become aware of it when:
- Teeth feel sensitive to cold drinks or air
- The biting edges of the front teeth look thinner or slightly translucent
- Cups and small dish-shaped depressions appear on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth
- Older fillings appear to “stand proud” while the surrounding tooth has worn down
- A partner or family member comments on a change in tooth shape
- A dentist notices wear patterns at a routine check-up
What causes acid erosion
Acid erosion has several possible sources. Most patients have a combination of contributors rather than a single cause.
Dietary acids
Soft drinks, including diet versions — the sugar is not the only issue; the acid itself is erosive
Sports and energy drinks
Fruit juices and smoothies
Citrus fruits and lemon water sipped through the day
Vinegar-based dressings and pickled foods in large amounts
Wine, particularly white and sparkling, sipped over an evening
Reflux and vomiting
Sports and energy drinks
Fruit juices and smoothies
Citrus fruits and lemon water sipped through the day
Vinegar-based dressings and pickled foods in large amounts
Wine, particularly white and sparkling, sipped over an evening
Stomach acid is highly erosive. Conditions associated with regurgitation or vomiting can wear the inside surfaces of the upper teeth in particular. These include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), pregnancy-related morning sickness, eating disorders, and chronic vomiting from other medical causes. If reflux or recurrent vomiting is part of the picture, working with your GP is an important part of the solution.
Behavioural factors
Sipping acidic drinks slowly across an hour rather than with a meal
Holding acidic foods in the mouth (for example, sucking on lemons)
Brushing immediately after acid exposure, while the enamel is still softened
Dry mouth, which removes the natural buffering effect of saliva — see dry mouth
How acid erosion is different from decay
Decay is caused by plaque bacteria producing acid in localised spots. Acid erosion is a more general loss of enamel across whole surfaces from acids that come into direct contact with the tooth. The two can happen at the same time, but the prevention strategy is slightly different.
How we assess erosion
At your routine check-up and clean we look for the wear patterns typical of acid erosion:
Thinning of the incisal edges of the front teeth, sometimes with chipping
Cupping on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars
Smooth, shiny areas where matt enamel used to be
Loss of surface anatomy on the inside of the upper front teeth (a pattern often linked with reflux)
Older fillings sitting above the surrounding tooth surface
We will also ask about your diet, any reflux symptoms, medications, and brushing habits. Where helpful, we will take photographs and reference them at later visits to track changes.
Practical prevention
For most patients, prevention is about reducing acid contact time and supporting enamel recovery between exposures.
Have acidic drinks with meals rather than sipped through the day
Use a straw for acidic drinks where practical
Rinse with plain water after acidic exposure
Wait around 30 minutes before brushing after acidic food, drink, or vomiting — the enamel is temporarily softened
Avoid swishing acidic drinks around the mouth
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a low-abrasion fluoride toothpaste
Stay well hydrated — saliva is a natural buffer
Talk to your GP about reflux or recurrent vomiting if these are happening regularly
Consider a regular professional fluoride treatment
Small changes — particularly to drinking habits — make a noticeable difference over time.
Restoration when erosion is advanced
Where erosion has progressed and teeth are sensitive, short, or chipping, restorative options can help return shape and function while protecting the remaining tooth. Depending on the pattern of wear, your dentist may discuss:
Dental bonding to rebuild thinned biting edges
Composite fillings to restore cupped chewing surfaces
Inlays or onlays for larger areas of wear
Dental crowns for badly worn back teeth
Veneers where front-tooth shape and appearance need to be addressed
An occlusal nightguard if grinding is also contributing to wear
Restoration is most useful once the cause of erosion is under control — otherwise the new surfaces will face the same exposure.
Health funds and payment
Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where you have eligible cover for preventive or restorative care, we can claim at the practice and you only need to pay any gap.
Rebates depend on your individual policy and annual limits — your fund can confirm what is covered before treatment. See our preventive cover page for more information.
Acid erosion FAQs
Can lost enamel grow back?
Holding acidic foods in the mouth (for example, sucking on lemons)
Brushing immediately after acid exposure, while the enamel is still softened
Dry mouth, which removes the natural buffering effect of saliva — see dry mouth
Decay is caused by plaque bacteria producing acid in localised spots. Acid erosion is a more general loss of enamel across whole surfaces from acids that come into direct contact with the tooth. The two can happen at the same time, but the prevention strategy is slightly different.
At your routine check-up and clean we look for the wear patterns typical of acid erosion:
Cupping on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars
Smooth, shiny areas where matt enamel used to be
Loss of surface anatomy on the inside of the upper front teeth (a pattern often linked with reflux)
Older fillings sitting above the surrounding tooth surface
For most patients, prevention is about reducing acid contact time and supporting enamel recovery between exposures.
Use a straw for acidic drinks where practical
Rinse with plain water after acidic exposure
Wait around 30 minutes before brushing after acidic food, drink, or vomiting — the enamel is temporarily softened
Avoid swishing acidic drinks around the mouth
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a low-abrasion fluoride toothpaste
Stay well hydrated — saliva is a natural buffer
Talk to your GP about reflux or recurrent vomiting if these are happening regularly
Consider a regular professional fluoride treatment
Where erosion has progressed and teeth are sensitive, short, or chipping, restorative options can help return shape and function while protecting the remaining tooth. Depending on the pattern of wear, your dentist may discuss:
Composite fillings to restore cupped chewing surfaces
Inlays or onlays for larger areas of wear
Dental crowns for badly worn back teeth
Veneers where front-tooth shape and appearance need to be addressed
An occlusal nightguard if grinding is also contributing to wear
Sandgate Family Dental is a HICAPS provider. Where you have eligible cover for preventive or restorative care, we can claim at the practice and you only need to pay any gap.
Rebates depend on your individual policy and annual limits — your fund can confirm what is covered before treatment. See our preventive cover page for more information.
Can lost enamel grow back?
No. Enamel does not regenerate. Early surface changes can sometimes be remineralised with fluoride and good habits, but once enamel is structurally lost, it stays lost. That is why early prevention matters.
Is diet soft drink really a problem if it has no sugar?
The sugar is not the only issue. Diet soft drinks are still acidic enough to erode enamel with regular exposure.
Why is sparkling water on the list?
Plain sparkling water is much less erosive than soft drink, but flavoured sparkling waters (particularly citrus) can be more acidic. Plain still water is the safest choice for sipping through the day.
Should I stop having fruit?
Not at all. Whole fruit, eaten with meals, is fine. The bigger issues are sipping fruit juice over long periods or holding citrus in the mouth.
I have reflux — what should I do?
Work with your GP on the reflux itself, rinse with plain water after any episode, and do not brush for around 30 minutes afterwards. We may also recommend a regular fluoride application.
Will whitening damage already-eroded teeth?
Whitening on eroded teeth can increase sensitivity. We will assess your enamel before recommending whitening — see our whitening and sensitivity information.
How often should I be reviewed?
Routine six-monthly check-ups are usually enough. Patients with significant erosion or active causes may benefit from three or four-monthly reviews so we can monitor changes.
Related information
- Preventive dentistry
- Diet and caries risk
- Dry mouth
- Fluoride treatment
- Sensitive teeth
- Nightguards
- Dental bonding
Book an erosion assessment
If you have noticed sensitive, thinning, or chipping teeth, a routine check-up is a good place to start. Book an appointment online at Sandgate Family Dental, or phone the practice.