Introduction 82 20 64 83 67 Diagnosis 68 31 66 6 1 2 3 4 Fig. 1 Facial erosion: The intact enamel border along the gingival margin of tooth 12 and some plaque remnants are clearly visible. Note the smooth silky-glazed appearance and the absence of perikymata on the enamel surface  Fig. 2 Advanced facial erosion of teeth 43, 44 and 45 with dentinal involvement. The width of the lesions exceeds its depth  Fig. 3 Erosion with involvement of dentine on the oral surface of tooth 13, 12 and 11. Intact enamel borders along the gingival margin  Fig. 4 a c  60 13 6 92 Risk factors 41 74 23 27 65 65 There are different predisposing factors and aetiologies of the erosive condition. The interplay of chemical, biological and behavioural factors is crucial and helps explain why some individuals exhibit more erosion than others, even if they are exposed to the same acid challenge in their diets. Comprehensive knowledge of the different risk factors is a prerequisite to initiate adequate preventive (non-interventive) and, if necessary, therapeutic (interventive) measures. When a restoration becomes inevitable, in all situations, the preparations have to follow the principles of minimally invasive treatment. 5 Fig. 5 68  Chemical factors 7 8 37 44 61 72 73 76 77 80 86 88 94 95 96 28 75 10 61 62 48 98 46 61 62 71 71 3 4 50 In summary, the two very often-cited parameters, the pH and the titratable acidity, do not readily explain the erosive potential of food and drink. The mineral content is also an important parameter, as is the ability of any of the components to complex calcium and to remove it from the mineral surface. Biological factors Biological factors such as saliva, acquired pellicle, tooth structure and positioning in relation to soft tissues and tongue are related to dental erosion development. 104 53 64 89 18 81 84 9 43 101 19 29 15 55 25 56 42 90 2 26 33 16 32 34 58 5 51 23 24 39 93 40 41 57 39 102 103 57 78 45 96 21 Behavioural factors 11 36 64 83 54 60 21 1 53 17 63 85 69 22 38 49 70 30 79 59 91 35 100 12 46 47 95 97 Health-conscious individuals also tend to have better than average oral hygiene. While good oral hygiene is of proven value in the prevention of periodontal disease and dental caries, frequent tooth brushing with abrasive oral hygiene products may enhance dental erosion. 105 87 99 14 30 52 82 Although no detrimental effects were described on a population level, one has to keep in mind that factors like sports-drink consumption and occupation can be, for some patients, a cofactor in the development of or in the increase in dental erosion when other factors are present. It is unlikely that one or two isolated factors (e.g. sports drink, dehydration) will be responsible for a multifactorial condition like erosion. Conclusion This overview shows the importance of early diagnosis of dental erosion and of accurate detection of possible risk factors and their interplay. These facts are prerequisites to initiate adequate preventive (and therapeutic) measures.