What's your job? How work can affect your teeth

Do You Know? For patients.

Your daily routine at work shapes your teeth more than you might think. Some jobs expose teeth to acid or sugar; others bring long hours, stress and snacking.

Examples

• Swimmers, swimming coaches and lifeguards: studies of competitive swimmers found tooth erosion in more than a quarter of them, linked to hours spent in pool water whose chemistry was not balanced for teeth.

• Bakery, sweet-shop and food workers: frequent tasting and easy access to sweets increase sugar exposure. Research suggests eating habits matter more than the workplace itself.

• Industrial workers exposed to acid fumes, for example in battery or metal-treatment plants, are at risk of acid wear when protection is inadequate.

• Office workers, drivers and shift workers: long hours, stress, constant sipping of karak, coffee or sweet drinks, and clenching while concentrating can lead to decay, wear and jaw ache.

Simple protection

• Drink water between other drinks, and avoid sipping sugary or acidic drinks for hours.

• Swimmers: rinse with plain water after training and ask about high-fluoride protection.

• Use workplace protective equipment where acid fumes are present.

• If you clench at your desk, practise 'lips together, teeth apart' and mention it at your check-up.

• Tell your dentist what you do for work. It helps to plan prevention.

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This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination.

References

1. Buczkowska-Radlińska J, et al. Prevalence of dental erosion in adolescent competitive swimmers exposed to gas-chlorinated swimming pool water. Clin Oral Investig. 2013;17(2):579-83. doi:10.1007/s00784-012-0720-6

2. Favero R, et al. Dental erosion in competitive swimmers and preventive treatments: an in vitro study. Dent J (Basel). 2024;12(9):289. doi:10.3390/dj12090289

3. Masalin KE, Murtomaa HT, Sipilä KP. Dental caries risk in relation to dietary habits and dental services in two industrial populations. J Public Health Dent. 1994;54(3):160-6. doi:10.1111/j.1752-7325.1994.tb01208.x

4. Kanzow P, et al. Etiology and pathogenesis of dental erosion. Quintessence Int. 2016;47(4):275-8. doi:10.3290/j.qi.a35625