Spicy foods giving you heartburn? If you regularly experience heartburn, you could be getting a lot more than you bargained for from dinner. A common sign of acid reflux, heartburn may indicate the potential for serious dental damage. Acid Reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a common condition where the acid from the stomach is able to leak up into your esophagus. For some people, acid reflux symptoms include heartburn or regurgitation. For others, this condition can be symptom free and go completely unnoticed.
Day after day, acid exposure begins to thin and dissolve away the protective coating of the teeth, leaving them noticeably weakened. When the enamel wears away, the sensitive inner dentin layer of the tooth is exposed, and this can lead to additional, serious complications with the health of your teeth and mouth. Common signs of acid reflux affecting your teeth include:
- Pain or irritation in your mouth
- Tooth sensitivity for certain foods and drinks, especially hot, cold, or sweet
- Sharp tooth edges
- Thinning or shortened teeth darkening teeth
It’s likely you are already using some medication to control heartburn symptoms but it’s important to remember that dental damage from acid exposure can still exist. At Dental Health and Wellness Boston, we specialize in dental treatment for patients with acid reflux. We work one-on-one patients to determine the best treatment plan to revitalize and rejuvenate smiles. For patients like Peter, crowns may be the best option to replace damaged tooth structure. With crowns, we strengthened Peter’s teeth and restored their appearance and working closely with Peter’s physician, we made sure both his smile and his overall condition were treated!
As your Boston dentist and hygienists, we are often the first people to notice dental changes from acid reflux and many times, we are the first line of defense in noticing acid reflux symptoms. We are passionate about raising awareness among patients and physicians of the impact acid reflux has upon peoples’ teeth.
If you or someone you know is suffering from acid reflux, we urge you to seek medical care from a doctor and make an appointment with us today to restore your smile! Request a free consultation for dental treatment and stop the dental damage from acid reflux.