Introduction
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from acid reflux, you may have experienced some digestive distress. But did you know that acid reflux can also cause damage to your teeth? In addition to causing heartburn and other symptoms, acid reflux increases your risk for tooth erosion — which means it can negatively affect not just your gums but also your dental enamel.
Corrosive Effects
Your teeth are the hardest substance in your body, but they’re not immune to damage from stomach acid. Stomach acid is a corrosive substance that can destroy tooth enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth. If you have frequent heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), this may be a concern for you: when the muscles between the esophagus and stomach contract too much, they push acid-filled fluids back up into your throat and mouth. The next time you eat or drink anything acidic—whether it’s orange juice or soda—your mouth will feel very dry because all of that fluid needs to flow back down into your digestive system.
This increases the likelihood of getting cavities if you don’t brush right after eating something acidic; this is because there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth to neutralize any acid left behind on your teeth during digestion. While sugar does promote dental decay in high concentrations (more than 50% sugar by weight), most foods eaten during meals do not contain enough sugar on their own to cause decay problems unless consumed over long periods of time with little brushing afterward (such as an entire bagel).
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Dental Treatment
If you have had acid reflux for a long time, the damage to your teeth can be severe. In this case, dental treatment may be necessary. You may need to have a crown or root canal.
You should see your dentist if you think that you might need these procedures. The dentist will examine the state of your teeth and gums and let you know if any work needs to be done. If dental treatment is required, it should never occur until after treating the underlying cause of acid reflux (if possible).
Acid reflux can damage your teeth, as well as your esophagus.
Acid reflux is more than just a nuisance. It can be a serious health problem, one that might even affect your smile if left untreated. If you have acid reflux, you might notice that it causes your mouth to burn or taste sour. This is because the acid from your stomach is traveling up through the esophagus and into your mouth. Acid exposure on the teeth can cause damage to tooth enamel, which will eventually lead to cavities and discoloration of teeth. The longer an individual has untreated acid reflux, the greater the risk they will experience these issues with their oral health—and any associated symptoms such as pain or difficulty chewing food because their gums aren’t healthy enough either!
Conclusion
If you suffer from acid reflux, then it’s important to get treatment for this condition. If left untreated, the damage caused by acid reflux can lead to serious complications like tooth decay, gum disease or even cancer. Talk to your doctor about what options are available for treating GERD and find out if any of them could help improve your quality of life.
