|
|
Posted on 1/30/2016 by Dr. Andrew Zeiger |
Have you been diagnosed with gastro esophageal reflux disease, or GERD? Sometimes known as acid reflux, the primary symptoms of this condition are regurgitation, heartburn, and an acidic taste in the mouth. That's because GERD occurs when the muscle that is intended to keep your stomach acid where it belongs doesn't stay closed, allowing acid to escape back up into your throat. Unfortunately, the acid can evaporate and travel back up into your mouth, and once there it can wreak havoc on your teeth. How Does GERD Affect Your Teeth?Stomach acid is extremely detrimental to your teeth. Unlike the acid produced by bacteria living in your mouth, this acid is produced in large quantities and can affect all of your teeth rather than a small, localized area. Stomach acid will wear away your teeth from the outside, creating enamel that is permanently soft and vulnerable.Not only will the surfaces of your teeth wear down, but GERD can permanently alter the color of your teeth. As the enamel wears away, the yellow dentin layer will be exposed. At this point, your teeth will begin to appear yellow or brown in color, and they will no longer respond to whitening treatments. Fixing Your TeethThere are several ways that you can restore your teeth after they have been damaged by GERD. Dental crowns can be placed onto the back teeth in order to restore the chewing surfaces and protect them. For the front teeth, proclaim veneers are a better option, as these restorations can build the teeth back up to their original color and height.Also remember that it is important to talk to your doctor about your GERD symptoms. Without treating this underlying cause, you will continue to have problems with your teeth. Contact our office for more information. |
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our Family Cares for Everyone in Your Family |
Home | About Us | Dental Services | Sleep Medicine | For Patients | Dental Blog | Contact Us | Meet Dr. David Frausto, DDS | Meet Dr. Jarred Hanley, DMD | Meet Kaylan Huber, DMD | Meet Candice Good, RDA | Our Dental Team in Prescott Valley, AZ | Our Dental Team in Prescott, AZ | New Patient Forms | Dental Emergency | Insurance & Payments | Dental Technology | Press Release | Testimonials | General Dental Care | Restorative Dentistry | Cosmetic Dentistry | Limited Orthodontics | Oral Surgery | Biomimetic Dentistry | Pediatric Dental Services | Sedation Dentistry | Laser Dental Treatment