Gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is more commonly known as acid reflux disease, can cause more problems than simply upsetting your stomach. In fact, did you know that acid reflux can actually hurt your oral health? Sadly, GERD (the abbreviation for acid reflux) causes stomach acid to back up into your esophagus and sometimes into your mouth.
This can be problematic because it can erode your enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your teeth. Similarly, people who suffer from GERD also tend to have dryer mouths. Unfortunately, a dry mouth means you’ll have lost saliva in your mouth, which create an environment where bad bacteria and plaque can grow. Ultimately, this can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and can further erode your enamel.
Still, please note that acid reflux is hard to diagnose, but a dentist is often the first health care professional able to notice the early signs of acid reflux. Aside from issues with your teeth, the symptoms of GERD often include sinus infections, heartburn, difficulty swallowing, coughing, hoarseness and bad breath.
Most importantly, if you have GERD, what can you do? You may consider changing your diet, but certain medications can help as well. Specifically, you should consider limiting the consumption of acidic foods and drinks, such as juices, soda, or alcohol. Citrus fruits can also trigger your acid reflux. Similarly, if you’re experience dry mouth, try to drink more water and rinse your mouth with water after consuming anything acidic.
Fortunately, by inspecting the color of your mouth, we’ll be able to diagnose what acid reflux may have done to your mouth. Naturally, if we are able to identify these issues quickly, we’ll be able to minimize the damage you suffer. If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, please feel free to give Express Dental Care a call at 425-672-8494. Dr. Matthew Hernandez and team are eager to hear from you.