Saturday, May 27, 2017

Acid Reflux and Dental Health

Acid reflux is more than just uncomfortable: it’s a menace to your health. At Greenville Family Dental, we strive to ensure our patients understand how to maintain their oral hygiene. Therefore, they need to know how to stop acid reflux from damaging their teeth.


Hydrochloric acid is a component of stomach acid and is incredibly strong. The stomach has a layer of mucus to protect it, but the rest of the body depends on sphincters to keep hydrochloric acid out. When acid escapes into the esophagus, it causes painful burns all the way into the mouth. There, it erodes enamel, leaving teeth sensitive and discolored. It also causes gum bleeding and inflammation.


Enamel can be protected with fluoride treatments and replaced with white fillings and partial crowns. Bonding can strengthen teeth whose surrounding gum tissue was corroded. But to reduce acid reflux, patients will need to reduce their intake of caffeine, alcohol, foods that are high in fat, and foods and drink that are highly acidic. They may also need to talk to their doctor about changing medications which cause acid reflux as a side effect.


Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.


 

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