Protection against extrinsic and intrinsic causes of tooth wear
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 27th December 2024

Tooth wear is becoming a major concern in the UK, and it’s widely believed that 77% of the UK population show some evidence of wear,[i] so it’s vital that we understand the risks when it comes to the causes of wear and in particular the part that excess sugar can play.
New research from the Oral Health Foundation has revealed the current sugar consumption habits in the UK. Describing the results as “alarming”, the study found that 84% of the population has at least one sugary snack per day, with 79% admitting to eating at least three per day.[ii]
As we know, high sugar consumption can have a significant impact on oral health. Clinicians must feel confident in their knowledge of sugar and its impact in order to better help patients manage their sugar consumption and mitigate its effects.
Sugary foods and acid attacks
The government recommends that no more than 5% of a person’s calories should come from free sugars. However, UK research suggests that this number is commonly between 9% and 12.5%.[iii] Free sugars can be found in a number of foods and drinks including biscuits, cakes, pastries, yogurts, jam, sweets, chocolate, fruit juice, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.
For adults, sugary soft drinks and alcoholic drinks contribute the most to free sugar intake. In an effort to combat this, the soft drinks industry levy was introduced across the UK, which taxes drinks containing added sugar.[iv] Its aim was to encourage companies to reduce the amount of sugar in their drinks, and to incentivise customers to avoid soft drinks or choose sugar-free alternatives. Since it was introduced, it is thought that the levy has prevented over 5,000 cases of obesity annually among year six girls,[v] and that fewer children have required their teeth to be extracted too.[vi]
Consuming sweet and acidic foods increases the risk of dental erosion, a leading cause of caries. This is one of the most common diseases worldwide, and is a leading cause of tooth loss, second only to gum disease. As such, it is vital to prevent erosion, and ensure patients are armed with the tools they need to maintain their oral health.
Medical conditions
Sugar is not the only cause of tooth wear. Some medical conditions may mean that patients are more susceptible too.
Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), for example, causes the reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus. It is recognised as a possible cause of intrinsic chemical tooth wear.[vii] GERD can be particularly damaging to the teeth at night. Acid-neutralising saliva production is slower while asleep, allowing acid to stay in the mouth for longer.[viii] It’s important for clinicians to offer their patients tailored advice to help manage this, and protect their teeth against high acidity.
Eating disorders can also have an impact on oral health, with 89% of people with bulimia showing signs in the mouth. Stomach acids in the mouth from vomiting can also lead to tooth wear and enamel thinning. Further damage can be caused if patients brush their teeth immediately afterwards, removing softened enamel.[ix] It is important to approach patients showing these signs sensitively, and offer tailored advice. For example, recommend rinsing the mouth with water or mouthwash, and not brushing their teeth for an hour after vomiting.
Strengthening the teeth
As mentioned, dental erosion can have a huge impact on dental health, potentially leading to caries, and even tooth loss. As such, it’s important to recommend patients a solution which helps to prevent tooth wear and replace lost mineral ions to the tooth surface.
BioMin® F toothpaste is an innovative solution, helping to combat acid attacks. BioMin® contains <600ppm fluoride which forms a fluorapatite layer. This creates an acid resistant shield over the tooth surface providing superior protection. It is formulated with a revolutionary bioactive material containing calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions that bond to the tooth and penetrates the dentinal tubules, slowly releasing minerals over the course of 12 hours, strengthening and protecting the tooth enamel. The fluorapatite layer that is formed is more acid resistant than hydroxyapatite, the tooth’s natural mineral, dissolving only when salivary pH dips below 4.5, but even below this as the bioactive glass breaks down additional fluoride is released reforming the protective layer when it is needed most.
Careful consideration must be given when recommending dental products to patients with various different needs. There are a wide range of intrinsic and extrinsic factors which may increase a patient’s risk of tooth wear and, even though government interventions like the soft drinks industry levy are having a notable impact on public health, tooth wear remains a key concern within UK dentistry. As such, it is vital that patients are using products which make prevention a priority.
For more information about BioMin®, and the innovative range of toothpastes, please visit www.biomin.co.uk, or email marketing@biomin.co.uk.
To buy BioMin F, BioMin C or BioMin F for Kids go to:
https://www.upbeatcare.co.uk/biominf-toothpaste-kids-50g.html
https://www.cts-dental.com/oral-hygiene/toothpaste/other/biomin-f-strawb-childrens-tpaste-37.5ml
https://growingsmiles.co.uk/shop/biominf-toothpaste-armour-teeth/
Calling all dentists! Want samples or a practice visit? Speak to our UK dealers, Trycare on 01274 88 55 44 or email: dental@trycare.co.uk, or CTS on 01737 765400 or email: sales@cts-dental.com
[i] https://bdnj.co.uk/2024/06/26/erosion-an-increasingly-common-cause-of-tooth-wear
[ii] https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/uk-sugar-consumption-alarming-says-oral-health-foundation
[iii] https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/uk-sugar-consumption-alarming-says-oral-health-foundation
[iv] https://www.nutrition.org.uk/nutritional-information/sugar
[v] https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/sugary-drinks-tax-may-have-prevented-over-5000-cases-of-obesity-a-year-in-year-six-girls-alone
[vi] https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/news/sugar-tax-linked-fall-childhood-hospital-tooth-extractions
[vii] Nota, Alessandro, et al. “Correlation between bruxism and gastroesophageal reflux disorder and their effects on tooth wear. A systematic review.” Journal of clinical medicine 11.4 (2022): 1107.
[viii] https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/gerd-teeth
[ix] https://www.meadowsranch.com/effects-of-anorexia-bulimia-on-your-teeth/
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