Reflux Zone

The Affects Of Acid Reflux On Teeth

You can imagine the effects of swishing battery acid around in your mouth for a couple of minutes - if you could stand it that long. It makes sense, then, that stomach acid would also cause you some oral problems. Have you ever given it any thought? If you are one of millions who suffer from acid reflux or GERD, you should.

When stomach acid backs up, bubbling and gurgling into the esophagus, it can cause a lot of damage - damage that at least can be repaired by taking prescribed medicine as directed by your physician. But what about those people who are unlucky enough to have reflux that backs up into the back of the mouth or even into the mouth? Damage to teeth cannot be reversed.

Acid reflux sufferers who have years of back up into the mouth may notice an almost chronic bad taste in the mouth. If they're familiar with acid reflux, they'll know the taste. The acid reflux sufferer may also note that they have required a lot of dental work in the past since developing acid reflux. That's because the acid has worn away the enameled protective coating that usually keeps teeth safe. The only real repair option you have is to pay the expense of having your bad teeth repaired as needed - which might get quite costly if you have let the reflux go untreated for some time.

Isn't there some way you can protect your teeth from reflux? Sure there is. You must treat the reflux disease. If you have not already seen a doctor, make your appointment now. If you were diagnosed with acid reflux years ago and let your prescription expire after finding out that a month's worth would cost more than a hundred dollars, it is time to go back to get re-evaluated and get a new prescription. Some medicines that were once available by prescription only are now available over the counter, like Prilosec. Other pharmaceutical companies offer programs to help make their acid reflux drugs more affordable for patients who have a tough time filling the expensive prescription. The best way to find out more is to ask your pharmacist which companies offer such programs and how to contact them. The important thing is that you do not let your acid reflux go untreated any longer. There's not enough mouth wash or toothpaste in the world to take that acidic taste out of your mouth, so to protect your teeth, you must control the stomach acid!