Dental enamel is attacked by the acid in the reflux. Dental erosion involves the loss of enamel by a chemical process that does not involve bacteria (such as occurs in typical teeth cavities). If you have reflux, rinse your mouth with water only. Don't brush your teeth straight after a reflux attack as the tooth brushing combined with the acid from the reflux increases enamel erosion!
Dr. Amaechi said some medications including aspirin, when taken regularly, have erosive potential. Some underlying medical conditions such as acid reflux disease or disorders associated with chronic vomiting, including bulimia, also can cause dental erosion because of the gastric acids that are regurgitated into the mouth.
“It is important for dental practitioners to identify dental erosion and its causes before it is too late,” Dr. Amaechi said. “Because dental erosion creates a smooth and shiny appearance of the enamel and causes no pain or sensitivity in its early stages, most patients are not aware that they are suffering from the condition until the problem becomes severe. Therefore, the responsibility of early detection and treatment falls on the professionals.”
Adapted from materials provided by University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Reflux Disease (GERD) Overview
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed because of acid backing up from the stomach. The esophagus or food pipe is the tube stretching from the throat to the stomach. When food is swallowed, it travels down the esophagus.
The stomach produces hydrochloric acid after a meal to aid in the digestion of food.
- The inner lining of the stomach resists corrosion by this acid. The cells that line the stomach secrete large amounts of protective mucus.
- The lining of the esophagus does not share these resistant features and stomach acid can damage it.
- The esophagus lies just behind the heart, so the term heartburn was coined to describe the sensation of acid burning the esophagus (see Media file 1).
Normally, a ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter, prevents reflux (or backing up) of acid.
- This sphincter relaxes during swallowing to allow food to pass. It then tightens to prevent flow in the opposite direction.
- With GERD, however, the sphincter relaxes between swallows, allowing stomach contents and corrosive acid to well up and damage the lining of the esophagus.
GERD affects nearly one third of the adult population of the United States to some degree at least once a month. Almost 10% of adults experience GERD weekly or daily. Not just adults are affected; even infants and children can have GERD.
