Acid Reflux/GERD and Dentistry
Teeth are one part of a body’s complex systems, and problems in other areas of the body can lead to unexpected dental problems if you are not prepared. One common issue faced by many adults is dental erosion, or the wearing down of tooth enamel and weakening of the teeth. Dental erosion can be caused by many things, but one of the most common causes is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
If you suffer from acid reflux, your teeth may be suffering as well. Visit Fife Dental Care for an examination to identify and treat dental erosion.
What is GERD?
GERD is a type of digestive upset that can cause stomach acid to reflux into the mouth. This can lead to an unpleasant taste in the mouth and burning pain in the chest. For some people, this kind of heartburn is an occasional event, occurring only after eating certain foods. Other people suffer more frequent episodes of acid reflux, leading to more serious medical conditions developing as a result of the corrosive influence of stomach acid.
How Acid Reflux Affects Your Teeth
Your teeth are strong, but they are not designed to withstand exposure to the strong acids in your stomach. When exposed to acid, the enamel of your teeth will begin to dissolve and the structure of the tooth will weaken. This in turn can lead to the development of cavities as well as chipped and broken teeth.
Prevention and Treatment of Tooth Erosion
The first and most important step to protecting your enamel is to have your GERD treated by a medical doctor experienced in gastroenterology. This treatment may involve diet modification and medications in order to manage GERD symptoms.
Once the underlying issue has been addressed, Dr. Fife can help control further damage to the enamel and repair existing damage utilizing dental fillings, crowns and bonding. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a consultation
with Dr. Fife.