While the most common symptoms of upper digestive problems include upset stomach, esophageal pain, and heartburn, they can also lead to problems with your teeth and gums, and even with your affordable braces. One of the most common disorders of the upper digestive system is acid reflux disease. Here are three ways acid reflux disease can lead to problems with your oral health, and what you can do about them:
Enamel Damage
Acid reflux disease and other conditions of the upper digestive tract can cause irritating stomach acid to reach your esophagus. In some cases, stomach acid can even reach your throat and mouth, and if it makes contact with your teeth, you may develop acid erosion of your dental enamel. Severe acid erosion may also cause your braces to fail, and if this happens, you may need to replace them. Fortunately, your dentist may be able to recommend an orthodontist who can provide you with affordable braces.
While erosion of your tooth enamel will probably not occur as a result of an occasional bout with acid reflux, but reflux disease that is long-standing or poorly managed may result in enamel damage. If you have acid reflux disease or frequent episodes of heartburn, see your dentist, who will monitor the condition of your enamel and recommend treatment as necessary.
In the meantime, make an appointment with your physician to evaluate your upper digestive condition. Interventions that you can do at home to help relieve reflux symptoms include drinking plenty of water, sleeping with the head of your bed elevated, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking an over-the-counter antacid.
Swollen Gums
Gum inflammation and possible bleeding can develop as a result of acid reflux disease. When stomach acid makes contact with your gum tissue, swelling, irritation, and pain can develop. In some cases, stomach acid can lead to bleeding gums and destruction of gum tissue. This can be especially problematic for those who wear braces, because metal hardware can further contribute to gum irritation in.
Drinking water throughout the day will help dilute stomach acid so that it is not so detrimental to your oral health. Your dentist can recommend a soothing enzyme-based mouthwash to help minimize gum irritation during bouts of acid reflux.
Heightened Risk For Dental Abscess
If you have frequent episodes of heartburn or acid reflux, you may be more likely to develop cavities or a dental abscess. When stomach acid weakens your protective dental enamel, infection-causing bacteria can invade your tooth and its pulp.
If you develop a toothache, a bad taste in your mouth, swelling around your tooth, or any unusual drainage around your gum line, see your dentist because you may have an abscessed tooth. If you do, your dentist may recommend that you take antibiotics to eradicate the offending strain of bacteria.
It is important to see your dentist at the first sign of an abscess because severe dental infections can hurt your teeth, gums, and the bones that support your teeth, and can even make your braces shift out of place
If you have stomach or esophageal pain, heartburn, a dry cough, constant throat clearing, or a feeling that something is stuck in your throat, you may have an upper digestive condition. Make an appointment with both your dentist and physician for further evaluation and treatment.
Share20 June 2018
Hi, my name is Kevin Nelson and I want to tell you about my experience. I had a painful tooth so I went to see my dentist. After the examination, he said that I needed to have a root canal to save the tooth. I told the dentist to just pull the tooth instead and then he explained why that wasn't a good idea. He said that pulling the tooth would cause additional problems and then he told me what could happen. I didn't want any more problems, so the dentist did the root canal and I'm glad that he did. I wanted to write a blog to tell others about the benefits of a root canal and what to expect during the procedure. I hope that by getting the word out, other people won't make the same mistake that I almost did by getting a perfectly good tooth pulled.