Dental erosion is the loss of dental hard tissues caused by non-bacterial
acids. Due to
acid contact, the tooth surface becomes softened and more prone to abrasion from
toothbrushing.
Dentifrices containing different active agents may be helpful in allowing rehardening or in increasing surface resistance to further acidic or mechanical impacts. However,
dentifrices are applied together with brushing and, depending on how and when
toothbrushing is performed, as well as the type of
dentifrice and toothbrush used, may increase wear. This review focuses on the potential harmful and helpful effects associated with the use of
dentifrices with regard to erosive wear. While active ingredients like
fluorides or agents with special anti-erosive properties were shown to offer some degree of protection against erosion and combined erosion/abrasion, the abrasive effects of
dentifrices may increase the surface loss of eroded teeth. However, most evidence to date comes from in vitro and in situ studies, so clinical trials are necessary for a better understanding of the complex interaction of active ingredients and abrasives and their effects on erosive
tooth wear.