Dental Erosion Treatment London | Acid Wear | South Kensington

Understanding Dental Erosion: The Silent Destroyer

Dental erosion is the gradual loss of tooth enamel caused by acid attack. Unlike decay, which is caused by bacteria, erosion is a chemical process—acids from food, drinks, or stomach contents dissolve the mineral structure of your teeth. It's often painless until significant damage has occurred.

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet it has no living cells and cannot repair itself. Once dissolved by acid, it's gone forever. This makes prevention and early intervention critical. At our South Kensington practice, we see dental erosion increasingly among health-conscious patients—often caused by the very habits they believe are good for them, like frequent lemon water or apple cider vinegar.

The good news is that we can halt progression, protect vulnerable areas, and restore teeth that have already suffered erosion. With the right approach, we can give you back a smile that's both beautiful and resilient.

What Causes Dental Erosion?

Erosion occurs when your teeth are exposed to acids. These can come from external sources (what you eat and drink) or internal sources (stomach acid):

Dietary Acids (Extrinsic Erosion)

Stomach Acid (Intrinsic Erosion)

Stomach acid is far more corrosive than dietary acids. When it reaches the mouth repeatedly, erosion can be severe:

Important: If we identify a pattern of erosion consistent with stomach acid, we'll recommend you see your GP. Treating the underlying cause is essential—no amount of dental restoration will last if acid reflux continues unchecked.

Signs and Symptoms of Dental Erosion

Erosion often progresses silently. By the time symptoms become obvious, significant enamel has already been lost:

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the extent of erosion. Our approach is always two-fold: stop further damage and restore what's been lost.

1. Preventive Care & Monitoring (Early Erosion)

If erosion is caught early, we may be able to halt progression without restorative treatment:

• Identify and modify acidic dietary habits
• Prescribe high-fluoride toothpaste to strengthen remaining enamel
• Apply professional fluoride varnish treatments
• Regular monitoring to catch any progression early
• Recommend saliva-stimulating products if dry mouth is a factor

2. Composite Bonding (From £295 per tooth)

Composite bonding is ideal for moderate erosion, particularly on front teeth where edges have worn thin or become translucent:

• Tooth-coloured resin applied directly to worn areas
• Rebuilds lost tooth structure and protects exposed dentin
• Usually completed in one appointment
• Minimally invasive—no drilling in most cases
• Can be repaired or modified if needed

3. Porcelain Veneers (From £950 per tooth)

For more extensive erosion, porcelain veneers provide comprehensive protection and a complete aesthetic transformation:

• Custom-made porcelain shells cover the entire front surface
• Highly stain-resistant and durable (10-15+ years)
• Restores natural tooth proportions and colour
• Protects remaining enamel from further acid attack
• Ideal when multiple front teeth are affected

4. Dental Crowns (From £750)

When erosion is severe and has compromised significant tooth structure, a dental crown may be needed to fully protect and restore the tooth:

• Full coverage protection for severely eroded teeth
• Restores proper bite function
• Essential for back teeth with significant cupping or wear
• Porcelain or zirconia options for natural appearance

5. Full Mouth Rehabilitation

In cases of generalised severe erosion—often seen with long-term acid reflux or eating disorders—a comprehensive rehabilitation may be needed. This might involve crowns, veneers, and onlays across multiple teeth to rebuild the bite and restore function.

Preventing Further Erosion

Treatment only works if we address the underlying cause. Here's how to protect your teeth from acid damage:

Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic
20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3DL