Abstract:
Dental Erosion in Children and Acidic Food: Case Report. Vega M*, Trejo P, Pliego D (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México, DF)
Purpose: The purpose of this report is to present the case of dental erosion caused by an excessive consumption of organic (fruit) acids in a 6-year-old child.
Case Report: A 6-year-old-girl attended our clinic for a routine examination. Clinical examination showed that her deciduous upper central incisors had an advanced loss of enamel with dentinal involvement from the palatal surfaces and a loss of enamel from the facial surface and incisal border of the lower central incisors. The girl suffered from dentine hypersensitivity. After questioning about her dietary habits, we confirmed that tooth wear was caused by an excessive consumption of lemon juice. The patient used to eat one lemon per day taking an hour to do so, ever since she was 3 years-old. The treatment to stop or at least to reduce the erosive process was applying resin on the erosive defects in the upper incisors and a topical fluoride varnish in the rest of the teeth. The lower central incisors were not treated with resin because they will exfoliate soon. Besides these observations, we also provided her with some dietary recommendations.
Results: The correct and early diagnosis of dental erosion allows for the reduction of dentine hypersensitivity and avoids possible erosion in permanent dentition.
Conclusions: Dental erosion is a multifactorial condition. To prevent further progression, it is important to detect this condition as early as possible and detect the main etiological factor of tooth wear in order to initiate adequate preventive and therapeutic measures.