{"id":11,"date":"2019-05-22T21:39:12","date_gmt":"2019-05-22T21:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.daradds.com\/blog\/?p=11"},"modified":"2025-11-12T19:55:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T19:55:52","slug":"how-acid-reflux-can-affect-your-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daradds.com\/blog\/2019\/05\/22\/how-acid-reflux-can-affect-your-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"How Acid Reflux Can Affect Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Close<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Health conditions in other parts of the body can impact your\noral health in significant ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid gets\na wrong direction and flows up into the esophagus (a tube that connects stomach\nwith the mouth), the throat and even into the mouth. Acid reflux and heartburn\nmore than twice a week may indicate GERD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Normally, the ring of muscles at the top of the stomach is\nstrong and prevents acids from leaking. However, if the sphincter is not\nworking properly, the acid can move up causing erosion on the walls of your\nesophagus, your mouth, gums, and teeth. This medical condition affects\napproximately every fifth adult in US. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

 GERD symptoms<\/strong> include heartburn, or\nburning sensation in the chest, nausea after eating, coughing, and buildup of\nmucus, sore throat, hiccups, and change in the voice. Acid reflux can also\ncause dry mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many people may be aware they are experiencing acid\nreflux through all these symptoms, not everyone experiences them (\u201cclinically\nsilent reflux\u201d), and your dentist may be the first to notice it during routine\noral exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet over time, untreated GERD can damage the lining of the\nesophagus, causing ulcers and even cancer. Repeated acid reflux can eat away\nyour teeth and damage the gums<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Stomach Acid Affects Your Teeth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the pH scale, which measures acidity, a normal, healthy\npH is around 7.0 (the same as pure water). A more acidic pH of 5.5 or lower begins\nto dissolve tooth enamel ( the tooth protective layer). Stomach acid measures\npH of 2.0. That is strong enough to break down food, and is also capable of\ncausing serious dental damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, you may not notice how acids affect your oral\nhealth until severe damage has been done. Teeth can become thin, sharp,\nchipped, pitted, yellow and sensitive. This high acidity saliva can also damage\nthe surrounding tissues of the mouth, and is linked to periodontal (gum)\ndisease<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms to watch out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7        Teeth develop a\nyellow discoloration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7        General increase\nof the teeth sensitivity<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7        Developing more\nthan usual cavities<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7        Teeth becoming\nshorter and sharper<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7        Unexplained gum\nand periodontal disease in presence of good oral hygiene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protecting Your Teeth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the ways your dentist can help protecting your\nteeth from the effects of acid reflux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n