Recent advances in the prevention and treatment of dental erosion: a narrative review

Dental erosion is a progressive and irreversible loss of dental tissues caused by chemical processes from intrinsic or extrinsic acids without bacterial involvement. This condition, categorized as part of tooth wear, has gained increasing attention due to its rising prevalence, particularly among children and adolescents. Teeth erosion is often linked to modern dietary habits, including consuming acidic foods, beverages, and certain medications. The impact of dental erosion varies, from localized damage to the entire dentition, with factors such as acid exposure, pH, and the type of acid contributing to its severity. Prevention strategies focus on oral health education, dietary modifications, and remineralization with fluoride-based products, while emerging biomimetic technologies, such as nanomaterials and bioactive polymers, show promise. Restorative treatments, including composite restorations and veneers, are used for advanced cases but lack standardized guidelines for optimal application. Thirty-four studies were included in this article, focusing on fluoride-based products, innovative varnishes, and minimally invasive restorative techniques like CAD-CAM and injection molding. The review highlights the need for further research on the long-term effectiveness of these interventions and the development of standardized clinical guidelines to improve treatment outcomes.