Enamel Erosion
Gradual acid wear of the protective outer layer — enamel does not grow back.
What it means
Understanding enamel erosion
Enamel erosion is the gradual wearing away of the hard, protective outer surface of your teeth by acid. Unlike decay, which is driven by bacteria, erosion is caused by acids from the diet or from the stomach dissolving the enamel over time. Because enamel does not grow back, prevention and early intervention are especially important.
Erosion tends to develop slowly and quietly, so many people are unaware of it until teeth start to look different or feel sensitive. Recognising the causes and adjusting everyday habits can slow or halt the process and protect what remains.
A GDC-registered dentist can identify erosion, help you understand its cause, and advise on protecting and, where needed, restoring affected teeth.
Common causes of enamel erosion
Several factors can contribute to enamel erosion. Being aware of them can help — though only an examination can confirm what applies to you. Common contributing factors include:
- Frequent acidic drinks such as fizzy drinks, fruit juice and wine
- Acidic foods eaten often, such as citrus fruit
- Acid reflux or other conditions bringing stomach acid into the mouth
- Frequent sipping or swishing of acidic drinks
- A dry mouth reducing saliva's protective effect
- Vigorous brushing straight after acidic food or drink
Signs and symptoms to look out for
Symptoms vary from person to person, and some can be subtle. You may notice one or more of the following:
- Teeth that look thinner, shorter or more translucent at the edges
- Increasing sensitivity to hot, cold and sweet
- A smooth, shiny or cupped appearance on biting surfaces
- Yellowing as thinning enamel reveals the dentine beneath
- Rounded or worn-looking edges
- Fillings that appear to stand slightly proud as enamel wears around them
How we assess it at our Wimpole Street practice
Because the same symptoms can have different causes, an accurate diagnosis always comes first. At Wimpole Dental, a GDC-registered dentist will listen to your concerns, examine the area and — where clinically appropriate — take X-rays or other records to understand what is happening beneath the surface. Our practice is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and every clinician is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
You will then have your options explained in plain English, with a written, itemised estimate before any treatment begins — and never any pressure to proceed. Flexible payment options may be available — ask at your consultation.
What to expect when you visit us
From your very first contact, our aim is to make dental care feel calm, clear and unhurried. A member of our reception team will help you find a time that suits you, including evening and weekend appointments, and if you are in pain we will do our best to see you the same day. You are welcome as a new patient, and there is no obligation to proceed with any treatment.
At your appointment, a GDC-registered dentist will take time to understand your concerns about enamel erosion, carry out a careful examination and, where clinically appropriate, take X-rays or other records. They will then explain what they have found and set out the suitable options — from doing nothing and monitoring, through to the treatments described above — so you can make an informed decision that is right for you.
If you feel anxious about visiting the dentist, you are far from alone, and we are experienced in caring for nervous patients. Please tell us how you feel when you book: we will move at your pace, explain each step before it happens, and focus on keeping you comfortable throughout. Our priority is honest, gentle care that puts your long-term health first.
Solutions & treatment options
The first priority is identifying and reducing the source of acid, whether dietary or medical, so that further erosion is slowed. Your dentist will offer tailored prevention advice and may recommend fluoride and desensitising products to strengthen and protect the teeth.
Where erosion has caused noticeable wear, sensitivity or cosmetic concerns, worn teeth can be rebuilt and protected — for example with composite bonding, and in more advanced cases with veneers or crowns. Any restorative plan is explained in full, with a written estimate, before treatment.
Because enamel cannot regenerate, acting early gives the best chance of keeping treatment simple and preserving natural tooth structure.
The treatment we most often use
Dental Check-up
A thorough new-patient examination with a GDC-registered dentist, including X-rays where clinically needed and a written plan.
Prevention & everyday care
While professional care is important, good daily habits make a real difference. The following steps can help:
- Limit acidic drinks and avoid sipping them slowly over long periods
- Use a straw for acidic drinks and rinse with water afterwards
- Wait an hour before brushing after acidic food or drink
- Use a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste
- Seek medical advice if you have acid reflux
- Attend regular check-ups so wear is monitored
When to see a dentist
If this sounds familiar, it's worth having it assessed early — problems are almost always simpler to treat when caught sooner. A £30 consultation lets a GDC-registered dentist find the cause and explain your options in plain English, with no pressure to proceed.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
No. Enamel cannot regenerate once it is lost, which is why prevention and early management are so important. Treatment focuses on halting further erosion and, where needed, restoring and protecting worn teeth.
As enamel thins, the softer dentine beneath — which contains tiny channels leading to the nerve — becomes more exposed, so hot, cold and sweet triggers are felt more easily. Fluoride and desensitising products, alongside reducing acid, can help.
Both can cause sensitivity and changes to the teeth, but they have different causes and patterns. Only an in-person examination can reliably tell them apart and identify the underlying cause, which guides the right prevention and treatment.
No. This page is general education to help you understand a common concern. It is not a diagnosis, and the same symptoms can have different causes. Only an in-person examination by a GDC-registered dentist can confirm what is happening and what, if anything, needs treating.
You will always receive a written, itemised quote before any treatment begins. New patients start with a £30 consultation; flexible payment options may be available — ask at your consultation.
That is very common and completely understood. Our team is experienced in caring for anxious patients: your dentist will explain everything in plain English, work at your pace and never pressure you to proceed. Let us know how you feel when you book so we can make your visit as calm and comfortable as possible.
Yes. Wimpole Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and every clinician is registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), with numbers you can verify on the public register. Our marketing follows advertising standards guidance for healthcare, and we never guarantee outcomes.
You can book online, request a call back, or call us on 020 7183 0692. New patients are welcome, and we offer evening and weekend appointments as well as same-day emergency slots where possible.
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22 Wimpole St, London W1G 8GQ · CQC regulated · GDC-registered clinicians