Enamel wear: Diagnosis

Enamel erosion: What to look for

Patients at risk of developing enamel erosion can be proactively identified using risk factors and lifestyle.

Patients at risk of enamel erosion include^1-3:

Soda swishers
People who snack frequently throughout the day
Patients consuming diets with high levels of fruit and fruit juices
Patients with eating disorders
Patients with gastric reflux

Early diagnosis of enamel erosion is important to prevent further, lasting damage⁴

Common features of enamel erosion^1,5

Clinical appearance is critical to identifying enamel erosion. Over time, the wear caused by enamel erosion can lead to reduced thickness of tooth enamel and a change in the texture, shape, and appearance of the teeth, which may also cause teeth to become sensitive.^1,5

These include^1,5:

Yellowing (advanced sign)
As erosion becomes more severe, enamel thins, exposing the dentin underneath and causing teeth to appear yellow or discolored.
Thinning and translucency
Teeth that appear thin and translucent are a sign that tooth enamel erosion may have already begun.
Surface changes (smoothing)
One sign of dental erosion is the loss of the surface of the tooth, leading to a smooth, shiny appearance.
Loss of structural features (rounding)Dental erosion, if untreated, can lead to the progressive loss of the surface of the tooth. The loss of tooth structure can require complex and lengthy treatment involving fillings, veneers, crowns, and potentially root canals.