Guest Commentary: Acid reflux can damage your teeth

Every day, millions of people take antacids for heartburn.

Over-the-counter drugs like Rolaids and Tums are popped two and three times a week like candy.

The symptoms of heartburn or GERD – gastroesophageal reflux disease – are fairly common. A burning sensation comes up from the stomach and moves to the chest and throat, leaving a sour taste in the mouth.

Acid reflux is often felt at night after:

• a heavy meal;

• bending over;

• lifting an object;

• lying down, usually on the back.

The symptoms are so common that 50 percent of people who have GERD are not aware that they have a serious disease.

While the over-the-counter drugs do alleviate the symptoms, they don't cure the digestive problem. The disease only gets worse.

Stomach acid is necessary. Hydrochloric acid (HCL) digests protein, stimulates the flow of bile and the pancreatic enzymes necessary for digestion of food. It also helps with the absorption of nutrients as well as other important functions.

But, when it "comes up" because of a valve insufficiency, it can cause serious damage.

If HCL continuously bathes the teeth, it is strong enough to erode them.

When exposed to stomach acid over a very short period of time, the front teeth get thin and start chipping at the edges. The back teeth lose height, and the bite begins to collapse.

Often, people don't realize their teeth are being eroded – not slowly, but relentlessly – until they see a knowledgeable dentist.

Over time, the damage can be severe not just to the teeth, but to the whole body.

GERD has been linked to ulcers of the esophagus as well as esophageal cancer.

In addition, Rolaids or Tums do have side effects, the most common of which are constipation or stomach cramps. In addition, there are more serious side effects such as loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness and headache.

What should people do?

1. They should see a doctor to get a prescription medication that will control the problem.

2. Eat more frequent, but smaller, meals, "grazing their way" through the day.

3. Stay away from acidic foods, such as citrus, tomatoes and tomato-based foods such as pasta sauce, which make GERD worse.

4. Cut out soda pop, which intensifies GERD. Soda pop also is hard on the teeth because of the carboxylic acid, which makes the bubbles but dissolves the mineral portion of the teeth, leaving softened enamel that bacteria enter to destroy the teeth.

People don't realize that the damaging effects of GERD on the teeth are cumulative over time.

The mouth needs to be protected by taking care of the disease and restoring the teeth before there is too little left to work with.

About the writer:

• Barry Hoffman, D.D.S., is a partner with the Prosthodontic Dental Group and handles complex cases restoring teeth through implants, crowns and dentures. He can be reached at (916) 454-0855.