Avoid Tooth Erosion from Acid Reflux!

Maybe the discomfort you're feeling after too much fun at a football match simply is indigestion. But if you regularly experience spells of acid reflux disease, you may need to take action to protect your teeth. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious complications with tooth erosion.

Normally when you swallow, the food and drink travels from your mouth, down your esophagus and into your stomach, where the stomach acids begin digestion. A muscle connecting your esophagus and stomach opens and closes to allow food into your stomach and keep stomach acid out of your esophagus.

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when this muscle weakens and allows the stomach contents to flow back up into your esophagus. You may feel a burning pain in your chest, neck, and throat (heartburn), a sensation of food coming back into your mouth, and a lingering acidic or bitter taste.

Your teeth are protected by a thin layer of hard tissue called enamel. Usually your saliva can help maintain the natural pH balance (levels of acid or alkaline) in your mouth, wash away food particles, and rebuild the minerals in your teeth. But sometimes, highly acidic foods, drinks, and drugs can overwhelm saliva's beneficial effects and soften the tooth enamel.

Over time, these highly acidic substances, as well as the stomach liquid from acid reflux, can erode the enamel. When the enamel wears away, the sensitive inner dentin layer of the tooth is exposed, and this can lead to additional, serious complications with the health of your teeth and mouth.

Symptoms of tooth erosion include:

- Pain or irritation in your mouth

- Sensitivity to certain foods and drinks, especially hot, cold, or sweet

- Sharp tooth edges

- Darkening teeth

- Thinning or shortened teeth

Your cosmetic Dentist in Preston recommends the following treatments;

To prevent acid reflux disease or help treat its symptoms, follow these guidelines:

• Avoid fried or fatty foods, peppermint and spearmint, chocolate, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, citrus fruits and juices, pickles, yogurt, vinegar, garlic, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. If any of these are favorite foods, limit them to occasional, small indulgences.
• Enjoy smaller, more frequent meals rather than eating large quantities at once.
• Drink plenty of water, and chew sugarless gum to help stimulate saliva.
• Do not smoke.

If tooth erosion is apparent, we may need to treat the situation by restoring your teeth or replacing worn fillings. We may also discourage the use of harsh tooth whiteners if tooth erosion is escalating. If your tooth enamel is severely worn away, your cosmetic dentist may need to recommend crowns or veneers to restore your bite and protect the health of your teeth.