[Acid erosions of tooth surface. 1. Influence of saliva, medicaments, fruit acids and mechanical stress].

The clinical aspects, etiology, pathogenesis and classification of dental erosions are reviewed. Individual susceptibility or resistance to erosive damage has been attributed to variations in the quality and quantity of saliva. A lot of medicaments reduce the salivary secretion. Under the influence of acids, in particular of fruit acids, the peripheral tooth surface are demineralized in the absence of dental plaque. The citrus juices showed potentially the worst dental properties. Abrasive brushing techniques and functional influences wear down the already damaged layer of tooth surfaces.