Tooth erosion is significantly heightened—37 times more likely—when acidic foods are consumed more than three times a day, as per expert advice.
Pointing out that dental erosion is increasing in Turkey and worldwide, Prof. Dr. Esra Can, President of the Turkish Society of Restorative Dentistry, stated: "We see that dental erosion is between 30 percent and 70 percent in the child and youth group and between 25 percent and 45 percent in the adult group. When acidic foods and drinks are consumed more than three times a day, the risk of tooth erosion increases 37 times."

Dental erosion, which is one of the factors that threaten the dental health of many people from all age groups in recent years, Prof. Dr. Esra Can, President of the Turkish Society of Restorative Dentistry and also Head of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Yeditepe University Faculty of Dentistry, gave information about dental erosion on the occasion of November 22, Dentists' Day and Oral and Dental Health Week.

"FIRST SYMPTOM IS TOOTH SENSITIVITY"
 

Prof. Dr. Esra Can said, "We can define dental erosion as the irreversible and progressive material loss in the primary and permanent teeth caused by chemical factors. The important factor in erosion is chemical; there is no microorganism effect like in decays." Stating that sensitivity occurs first in dental erosion, Prof. Dr. Can said, "Subsequently, dulling and discoloration of the teeth, and as it progresses, aesthetic problems occur with pitting, abrasion, and deformation of the shape of the teeth on the cutting edges of the teeth. When preventive measures are not taken, progressive erosion later causes functional problems. Erosion is a pathological abrasion that is progressive."

"MORE COMMON IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE"

Stating that dental erosion is more common in children and young people, Prof. Dr. Can said, "Recent studies show that the prevalence of dental erosion is increasing in Turkey and the world. The prevalence of dental erosion is between 30 percent and 70 percent in children and

young people and between 25 percent and 45 percent in adults. This gives us crucial information. Our children and young people are exposed to more erosion than us, which shows they will encounter more erosion-related dental problems in adulthood."

"Caution for Children and Individuals Following a Vegan Lifestyle"

Prof. Dr. Esra Can gives the following information about the causes of dental erosion:

"Erosion is a pathological problem caused by a combination of many factors... Adopting healthy eating habits and vegan diets, which involve increased consumption of fruits and fruit juices, can contribute to erosion. Children and young people are exposed to erosion when they drink too many carbonated drinks, and athletes often consume energy drinks. Fruit sodas and medications can also cause erosion. For example, chewable vitamin C tablets, sprays used by asthma patients, and effervescent medicines cause erosion. All kinds of factors that cause a decrease in saliva, such as anti-hypertensive and anti-depressant medications, can also cause erosion. We can see erosion frequently in the head and neck area in radiotherapy patients. In addition, reflux, eating disorders with vomiting, and chronic alcoholism can also be factors that cause disease-induced erosion."

"TOOTH EROSION OCCURS MORE IN SOME PROFESSIONS"

Highlighting the increased susceptibility to erosion in some occupational groups, Prof. Dr. Esra Can stated: "For example, professional athletes. They drink a lot of energy drinks, and these acidic drinks cause erosion. The same applies to professional swimmers. The substances used to disinfect pools can make the water acidic and lead to erosion of swimmers' front teeth. There is another occupational group exposed to erosion; they are laboratorians... When they draw acids with a straw, their teeth are directly exposed to acids."

"DO NOT CONSUME THESE IN BETWEEN MEALS"

Stating that it is possible to prevent dental erosion both as an individual and through the dentist, Prof. Dr. Can said:

"First, we need to prevent erosion as an individual. For example, we can reduce the consumption of acidic foods and drinks. When we consume acidic foods and drinks more than

three times a day, the risk of erosion increases 37 times; this rate is very high. We can limit these drinks and foods to meals because our salivation increases at meals, and thus, the erosion factor is eliminated. We should not consume acidic foods and drinks between meals because our salivation is low. We should swallow acidic drinks quickly or drink them through a straw instead of swishing them around in the mouth, and rinse our mouth with water or drink water after drinking acidic drink. We should not eat fruit, especially at night before bedtime. We should not brush our teeth immediately after eating acidic foods. We should drink acidic drinks by cooling them down. It's better to wait at least 30 minutes after meals before brushing our teeth instead of immediately after. After brushing, we should not consume fruits, fruit juices, fruit soda, or carbonated drinks that will cause erosion on clean tooth surfaces. Especially for children, eating fruits by sucking increases erosion, so we should encourage them to bite them. If there is erosion, dulling, and discoloration of the teeth, we can do things that neutralize the oral environment between meals to prevent this. For example, we can drink water or eat milk and cheese products. Suppose people with erosion in their teeth use whitening toothpaste to lighten the tooth discoloration and dark color in their mouths. In that case, it further erodes the enamel surface, which is already softened by chemical effects, and leads to further material loss."

"OUR APPLICATION INVOLVES THE USE OF GELS AND VARNISHES WITH A SUBSTANTIAL FLUORIDE CONCENTRATION."
After active erosion is diagnosed, the causative factor of erosion must first be determined by the dentist," said Prof. Dr. Esra Can and continued her words as follows:

"After finding the factor and creating a behavioral change in the patient, we, as dentists, apply gels and varnishes containing high fluoride concentrations to the softened enamel and dentin surfaces. This hardens that area and, at the same time, increases its resistance to possible acid attacks. We advise patients to use high-concentration fluoride toothpaste at home to help us. In the presence of active erosion, we recommend using a soft toothbrush, toothpaste, and creams with ingredients such as potassium nitrate, amorphous calcium phosphate, and high- concentration fluoride."

"WE NEED TO MOVE ON TO RESTORATIVE PROCESSES"
Although dental erosion can reach very severe stages, Prof. Dr. Can said, "After the enamel is eroded when the dentin is exposed, there is a rapid erosion progression. In this case, we can no longer protect our patients only with protective procedures and must change to restorative procedures. In very advanced dental erosion, cup-shaped erosions occur on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, and when they progress further, the patient's vertical dimension and the height of the lower part of the face decrease. The patient cannot perform the chewing function effectively due to sensitivity and inability to crush the food sufficiently."