Can Stomach Acid Damage Your Teeth And What To Do, Dentist Shares Inputs

Have you ever had a burning sensation in the chest and along the esophagus after a not-so-light meal? That feeling is called acid reflux. A pretty common digestive issue in which stomach acid travels back to the esophagus. However, there is an uncommon repercussion of the same that often goes unnoticed: Tooth erosion. Dr. Gunita Singh, B.D.S., M.D. Dental Lasers guides us on the connection and what to do to prevent tooth damage.

How Does Stomach Acid Damage Your Teeth, Dentist Says

"Our digestive system starts from the oral cavity. The same lining of the mouth goes up to the stomach," says Dr. Singh. So, in case of an upset stomach, the oral cavity gets affected too.

"Any issue in the stomach leads to side effects in the oral cavity and also when the oral cavity is unhealthy, the digestion messes up. So, it’s a hand-in-glove situation regarding the stomach and oral cavity," she adds.

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As for acid reflux, the dentist points out that it is the "worst thing for teeth as it erodes the tooth structure completely. This mainly starts from the inside of the lower teeth, which is the floor of our mouth, and where mainly the saliva rests."

When you get acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), "the saliva in our oral cavity becomes acidic and leads to erosion of teeth. As a result, the tooth enamel wears off and your teeth become sensitive and yellow," Dr. Singh states, adding, with time, your white pearls lose their shine and strength.

How To Overcome Acid Reflux, Thus Saving Your Teeth?

As per Dr. Singh, you can take the following eight steps to ensure you don't have acid reflux, thus no teeth erosion:

1. Make sure your digestive system is healthy.
2. Visit a gut doctor at regular intervals.
3. Eat a healthy diet and always drink a lot of water.
4. Reduce the intake of tea and coffee as they damage the tooth structure further.
5. Reduce acidic foods like lemon and vinegar.
6. Increase the intake of probiotics.
7. Visit a dentist to understand how much damage has been to your teeth and get treatment accordingly.
8. Wear an oral guard or night guard to cover the teeth and protect them from acid reflux in the mouth.

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