Saturday 5 December 2015
Few people are aware of the damage acid reflux can cause to their teeth. Acid reflux is a common problem, which develops when the acid in the stomach begins to leak into the esophagus. Regurgitation and heartburn are both indicators of acid reflux, but sometimes, no symptoms appear and the disease goes unnoticed. According to research, acid reflux is not only burning your insides, but it is also affecting your oral health and increasing your probability of developing periodontal disease.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux Damaging Your Teeth
The most common symptom of acid reflux causing enamel erosion is persistent pain in the mouth. People may also find that they are unable to eat or drink certain things, specifically food and drinks that are sweet, hot, and cold. If they feel the inside of their mouth with their tongue, they may notice sharp edges. In addition, the color of their teeth may also change from white to a darkish tone.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that over seven million people suffer from acid reflux. Moreover, what is even more startling is the fact that people fail to realize the damage their disease is causing to their teeth. It is gradually destroying the tooth enamel. If they do not find a dentist in their area to visit, there will be nothing left of the enamel, leaving you with a toothless grin, which a dentist can easily fix if you make an appointment with one on time.
Looking at the Science behind Acid Reflux
If you recall from science class, you measure the acidity of material by its pH level. If the pH is lower, the material contains higher levels of acid. If the pH is higher, the material contains lower levels of acid. The acid produced by the disease has a pH level of 2.0, which is extremely low and deadly to your teeth.
How Can People Decrease the Occurrence of Acid Reflux?
People who have acid reflux disease should take preventive measures to maintain their diet. They should not consume fatty, spicy, and fired foods. Furthermore, dairy products, beverages, and citric fruits can also trigger acid reflux in some individuals. If that is true in your case, you should refrain from eating them. Dentists also recommend patients not to brush their teeth after an episode of acid reflux, at least not for sixty minutes.
Most importantly, you should alert your dentist about any medical condition you have such as diabetes, heart disease, and acid reflux disease. If the dentist does encounter enamel erosion in their examination of your mouth in its early stages, they may be able to save your teeth and restore your smile.
If you are an acid reflux suffer, visit Spring Cypress Dental. One of our dentists will inspect your mouth to ensure everything is in order. If something looks amiss, they will gladly let you know of a solution you can select to have your smile back.
