The use of fluoride for the prevention of dental erosion and erosive tooth wear in children and adolescents

Background Erosive tooth wear (ETW) has gained increasing clinical relevance. It is estimated that worldwide 30–50% of deciduous and 20–45% of permanent teeth are affected. One of the most important nutritional factors causing ETW is the overconsumption of soft drinks, but also patient-related factors like reflux or eating disorders can lead to erosive lesions. Whether acids lead to erosive demineralisation depends on their degree of saturation with respect to tooth mineral at their actual pH.