Avoid Tooth Erosion from Acid Reflux

Maybe the discomfort you're feeling after too much fun at a Super Bowl party simply is indigestion. But if you regularly experience bouts 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.

Acid reflux disease

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 (GERD), 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.

Tooth erosion

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

Recommendations for treatment

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.
• Take antacid tablets if needed, but don't over-use them.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Drink plenty of water, and chew sugarless gum to help stimulate saliva.
• Do not smoke.
• Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches higher than the foot.

If a physician is treating you for acid reflux disease, be sure to let us know. We may prescribe fluoride treatments or a custom-fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth at night. We may also recommend that you use softer toothbrushes and low-abrasion toothpaste.

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, we may need to recommend crowns or veneers to restore your bite and protect the health of your teeth.

For more information

If you have questions and concerns about acid reflux and the damage it may be causing your teeth, please call our office. Also, you might find the following websites useful:

• Academy of General Dentistry at  http://www.agd.org/media/2005/mar/dent_erosion.asp
• "Acid-Relief Brief" from the Heartburn Information Center at http://www.heartburn-infocenter.com/tools/AcidReliefBrief/article.asp?article=31
• British Dental Health Foundation at http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=8
• "Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)" at http://www.webmd.com/content/article/6/1680_51289.htm