Dentist in West Seneca Reveals How Acid Reflux Affects the Teeth

It is a problem that affects about 40% of Americans at least once a month, and it goes by a few different names: heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, better known as GERD. They all describe a common condition where acid in the stomach is able to leak into the throat and mouth. While many people are familiar with the telltale burning sensation it can cause in the chest, few are aware that it can actually harm the teeth as well! Today, a dentist in West Seneca discusses how GERD can affect the teeth as well as how they can help patients keep their smile protected.

What Causes GERD?

There is a muscle at the bottom of the esophagus called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. Normally, the LES only opens when you swallow so food can enter the stomach, but for someone with GERD, it does not close properly or tightly enough, enabling the stomach acid to escape. Common causes include:

• Stress
• Obesity
• Hiatal Hernia (a portion of the stomach pushes up into the diaphragm)
• Diet (everyone has different triggers, but for many, carbonated beverages, coffee, chocolate, and spicy foods can lead to GERD symptoms)

How Does GERD Affect the Teeth?

Patients with GERD are very likely to experience enamel erosion and periodontal (gum) problems because stomach acid is strong enough to damage the teeth and surrounding oral structures. Enamel can be dissolved by a substance with a pH of 5.5, and stomach acid typically has a pH of about 2 or less (the smaller the pH, the more acidic a substance is).

Regular exposure to stomach acid can weaken enamel over time, causing teeth (particularly those in the back) to become more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures and likely to crack or break. The loss of this protective barrier can also expose the sensitive inner layers of the teeth, making them more likely to develop an infection or pain as well.

How Your Dentist Can Help

In many cases, people with GERD actually do not experience any obvious burning symptoms. However, this does not mean that it is completely hidden. Often, dentists and hygienists are the first to notice the signs of GERD because they can tell that the teeth have been exposed to acid. If a dental professional believes that a patient has this condition, they can recommend that the patient see their doctor in order to get the necessary treatment.

This is a great example of why visiting your dentist for regular checkups every six months is so important. These appointments not only give your dentist the chance to catch oral health problems, but they can also discover the signs of overall health issues that could be affecting your mouth, enabling you to seek out treatment even before you notice any symptoms.

Basically, visiting your dentist is not only beneficial for your teeth, but your overall health as well. With just two checkups each year, they can safeguard much more than just your smile.

About the Author

Dr. Kathleen Tytka graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and her primary goal in life is to use her dental knowledge to help her patients overcome both oral and overall health problems. To learn more about GERD and other health issues that could be showing subtle signs in your mouth, she can be contacted through her website.