The 20th century saw huge advances in dentistry and major improvements
in oral health. Caries and the periodontal diseases have been
brought under control, fewer teeth are restored or extracted and
the longevity of the natural dentition has been extended for many
more people. Improved oral hygiene and healthier diets have been
major contributors to this — great news for both public
health and individual's quality of life.
However, dental practitioners are now seeing
a paradox: these healthier longer-lasting teeth are showing signs
of increasing tooth wear. At the 2005 FDI World Dental Congress
in Montreal, a panel of experts addressed the increasing prevalence
of tooth wear and in particular, the role of acid erosion.
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Acid erosion is strongly linked to the consumption
of acidic foods and drinks. These demineralise and soften the
tooth surface, making it more susceptible to abrasion, particularly
by brushing.
In its early stages tooth wear is often not
addressed. However as it progresses tooth wear can result in dentin
hypersensitivity, loss of tooth shape and colour and may require
complex restorative intervention. Yet many people remain unaware
of the consequences of tooth wear and the measures that can be
taken to protect teeth from this slow and insidious process.
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