Dental erosion in an athlete: review article

Abstract

Objective: to discuss the prevalence and risk factors of dental erosion, highlighting the responsibility of a dental surgeon in the case of this pathological situation, particularly in front of the attendance of athletes. Material and Methods: the study included articles indexed in MEDLINE/PubMed database. Only articles published since 2000 were considered. The research was conducted using the following words and possible combinations: dental erosion; dental erosion, prevalence; dental erosion, and athlete. Results: dental erosion is a multifactorial chemical process that results in the loss of the dental tissue. The correct evaluation is fundamental for the diagnosis of the pathology and its causal factors. An athlete is prone to a greater number of risk factors, indicating the need for preventive dental measures adapted to the field of sports dentistry. Conclusion: it is important for a dental surgeon to recognize the clinical signs and symptoms of dental erosion for restoring the oral health of an athlete.