could be avoided if individuals heed the advice of recent research looking at the steps that can be taken to stem the erosion of teeth.
Identifying the cause of tooth erosion - usually sodas, some tea drinks and citric juices - is the first step towards eliminating the problem, the study advises.
Reading drinks labels to discover the acid content and minimising consumption of drinks that are high in acidity are recommended.
In addition, consulting the expertise of a dental professional is advised by the study, which is published in the May/June 2009 issue of General Dentistry.
Dr Mohamed Bassiouny, lead author of the study, commented: "Dental erosion is a demineralisation process that affects hard dental tissues (such as enamel and dentin)."
Spokesperson for the AGD Kenton Ross added that visiting a dentist was the best way to ascertain the extent of erosion, with many people being unaware that they are experiencing dental erosion.
Up to 80 per cent of dental caries or instances of tooth decay in children in Europe and the US occur in 20 per cent of the population.