Unbiased oral health information

Diagnoses

Chemical erosion

Common treatment options

In most dental situations, you have the time to evaluate your treatment choices. No treatment is always an option, but may not be in your best interest. If you elect to be treated, there is often more than one way to proceed. Common treatment options for this diagnosis are listed on this page.

If acid erosion is suspected, early intervention can prevent the need for expensive dental treatment. Photographs and X-rays exposed over a period of time can help to ascertain whether the patient has an ongoing problem that is causing acid erosion, or whether the damage occurred at some time in the past. Success of dental treatment depends on control of the causative factors.

Regardless of the severity of damage to the teeth, the patient should be evaluated by an appropriately trained medical professional if active bulimia (an eating disorder) or GERD is suspected.

If the damage is due to improper nutrition, the patient should be counseled on the effects of chronic exposure to acids on the teeth. Patients who have a habit of sucking on lemons or other acidic foods; or eating lemon salts should be informed of the damage being done to their teeth, and encouraged to quit the habit. Patients who frequently drink soda pop or other drinks containing acids and sugars should be encouraged to read labels and reduce their consumption of these beverages.
Learn more: Prevention › Maintain good nutrition

Treatment of affected teeth depends on the severity of the damage once the cause is controlled. Treatment may include any combination of fillings, veneers, onlays and/or crowns. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause dental restorations to fail.

More information on dental procedures

Crowns
Dental procedure image: Crowns
A crown is a type of tooth restoration that covers all or a substantial portion of a badly broken down or decayed tooth...
Fillings & core buildups
Dental procedure image: Fillings and core buildups
Fillings are among the most frequently prescribed and versatile methods of restoring damaged or decayed teeth to proper appearance and function...
Onlays
Dental procedure image: Onlays
An onlay is a type of cusp-covering dental restoration that is made in a laboratory or by a computer controlled milling machine from either ceramic, composite resin, gold, titanium or other metals...
Photographs
Dental procedure image: Photographs
Diagnostic photographs can clearly illustrate the need for treatment that may not be obvious to a patient. They can also rule out the need for treatment...
Radiographs
Dental procedure image: Radiographs (X-rays)
Radiographs, ("X-rays") are used by dental health professionals to evaluate hard tissue (teeth and bones) for signs of disease process or abnormalities...
Topical fluoride
Dental procedure image: Topical fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element which helps to harden tooth enamel and make it more resistant to acid exposure. It helps protect against cavities and can reduce tooth sensitivity...
Veneers
Dental procedure image: Veneers
Veneers are thin laminations placed over tooth enamel to mask cosmetic defects, adjust the bite, and/or stabilize enamel fractures...