Reflux Symptoms Often Misdiagnosed as Tooth Erosion
Recognizing the signs of acid damage in your mouth is crucial for identifying underlying issues that may be impacting your entire digestive system.
Your mouth can reveal a lot about your health, including signs of a condition that can harm your teeth before other symptoms appear.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing chest burning, upper abdominal pain, and regurgitation. Another form of reflux known as laryngopharyngeal reflux, or “silent reflux,” can affect the upper esophagus, throat, and mouth.
Both types of reflux can lead to noticeable erosion on the teeth, often confused by dentists with damage caused by teeth grinding. Differentiating between erosion and wear due to grinding is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Dental professionals can distinguish between the two types of damage, but many may misdiagnose and treat reflux patients for grinding, missing a crucial opportunity to address the root cause of erosive damage.
Patients can also advocate for themselves by discussing potential reflux symptoms with both their dentist and doctor if they experience sensitive enamel, tooth structure loss, teeth grinding, throat or chest burning, unmanaged cough or asthma, snoring, or sleep apnea.
Regular oral examinations can help detect early signs of systemic diseases that manifest in the mouth, emphasizing the importance of dental care in overall health.
Reflux and teeth grinding have been linked in medical literature, underlining the need for coordinated care between dental and medical professionals when addressing acid damage.
Dental hygienists like Ms. Ripin are trained to identify signs of reflux erosion, educate patients about the causes, and recommend further evaluation by specialists.
Ultimately, addressing the underlying acid reflux problem is crucial to preventing further damage to the teeth and promoting overall health.
Various lifestyle changes, such as eating a diverse diet, consuming probiotic-rich foods, and avoiding certain habits like late-night eating and alcohol consumption, can help manage acid reflux and support gut health.
