Acid Reflux May Be Damaging Your Smile
Acid reflux disease is sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is characterised by stomach and undigested food moving up the esophagus. The common adverse effect of GERD is heartburn.
What many people do not realize is that GERD may actually cause serious damage to the teeth. The food forced up the esophagus contains stomach acids that are harmful to the teeth.
The stomach produces hydrochloric acid to digest food. The stomach walls are protected from the strong acid and are therefore not corroded. The teeth are not protected from the acid and the acid will extensively corrode tooth enamel. The combination of stomach acids and acidic/sugary foods will cause great damage to the teeth.
The hydrochloric acid that backs up into the mouth will also lower the pH of the oral cavity making it very acidic. The conditions will not be favorable for tooth enamel which gets worn very easily. Once the enamel is eroded, the teeth will become susceptible to cavities. The conditions will become worse if acidic foods are consumed.
Tooth enamel cannot regenerate once it has been eroded. The effects of damaged tooth enamel will last a lifetime – posing serious dental health issues. Damaged enamel is linked to problems such as tooth sensitivity and cavities. Damaged enamel can also lead to discoloration of your teeth. Untreated dental cavities lead to root canal therapy.
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http://yourdentalhealthresource.com/acid-reflux-may-be-damaging-your-smile/
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Dr Ashley Davenport BDS MFGDP(UK)
I qualified as a dentist in 1995 and can honestly say that I have been doing a job that I love for the past 20 plus years. Most people who know me well know that dentistry is a passion for me and that if I won the lottery I would still want to have some dentistry in my life. I get huge satisfaction from treating patients and making a difference to ...
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