Erosion of teeth

**Definition:** Tooth erosion is a gradual and irreversible loss of the normally hard surface of the tooth due to chemical, not bacterial, processes.

**Long definition:** Erosion is the wear or loss of tooth surface by chemico-mechanical action which may be from intrinsic or extrinsic sources. Regurgitation of stomach acid can cause this condition on the lingual surfaces of maxillary teeth (particularly anterior teeth). Other examples are the dissolution of the facial aspects of anterior teeth because of habitual sucking of lemons, acidic candies or the loss of tooth surface from ingestion of acidic medicines or acidic beverages.