K03: Other diseases of hard tissues of teeth

K03.2: Erosion of teeth

When teeth are worn away, the hard outer layers are thinner than usual. The hard outer layers of the tooth's crown include the enamel and the dentin below it. The crown is the visible part of the tooth.

Certain acids can attack the hard outer layers and cause them to wear away. Certain foods or medications contain acids, for example. A person's own stomach juice is also an acid. So frequent vomiting can attack the teeth, for example. Orally ingesting drugs may also be a reason for the teeth wearing away. Certain acids can also be in the air breathed in at certain workplaces, so that they attack the teeth.

When the hard outer layers wear down, problems can occur. The teeth may become sensitive to contact or cold. This can cause toothache.