There are many reasons why you may be suffering from sensitive teeth, including decay, nighttime grinding, and gum recession. But there is also a significant chance that the problem is in your stomach. Acid reflux can wear away enamel, resulting in enough losses over the long-term to make teeth discolored and painful. At All Coast Dental in Pacific Beach, it may be possible for us to prevent or reverse damage to enamel, but first, patients need to understand how their lifestyle affects it.
Acid reflux occurs when the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus opens, allowing gaseous stomach acid to bubble up. The acid burns the esophagus along the way, causing the sensation we call heartburn. Our enamel is much tougher than the lining of our digestive tract, but it is vulnerable to dissolution, and in a person with gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid is bubbling up multiple times per week. Saliva somewhat mitigates the effects of acid, but a person with dry mouth cannot rely on it for protection.
We can recognize acid reflux-induced erosion by the distinctive wear patterns it leaves on the upper back molars, which are the teeth most vulnerable to it. Fluoridation treatments and sealants can provide teeth with more protection, and patients can stimulate saliva production by chewing sugarless gum, or combat acid with throat moisturizers. To reduce acid reflux, patients should give up smoking, and should avoid eating or drinking alcohol before bed. They may also want to reduce their consumption of red meat, garlic and onions, coffee, and foods with citric acid such as tomatoes.
Drs. Julie and Joseph Boulos operate All Coast Dental at 2180 Garnet Ave, Suite 1-K, Pacific Beach, California, 92109. To schedule an appointment, call 858-270-4904 or visit All Coast Dental and fill out a contact sheet.