First Choice Dental Cyber Security Update
Are you at risk for gum disease? Take this quiz to find out!
Oral Cancer Myth Busting -- What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You
First Choice Dental Notice of Data Security Incident
Join Us for Our Middleton Clinic Open House!
April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month
First Choice Dental’s Commitment to Your Safety and Health
4 Ways to Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month
First Choice Dental's Re-Opening Update
Five Tips for Proper Orthodontic Care Between Visits
No Dental Insurance? Try this Smart Choice
Why Every Kid Should See an Orthodontist Starting at Age 7
Empowering Hygienists with Collaboration & Clear Expectations
To Succeed, Our Hygienists Keep Learning
Sharp Instruments Give Our Hygienists an Edge
Flexibility and the Game of Life
Our Structure Puts People First
5 reasons you should celebrate this unsung Dane County anniversary
Summer is here! Time for the cookouts, maybe a little camping, and… braces!
Say "I Do" to a Beautiful Smile
Why Fluoride? The Good, the Bad, and the Facts
When do you start dental care with kids?
Improve your #selfie game with a healthy #smile
No need to floss? Think again!
Dental implants change the way dentists address tooth loss
Snack Ideas with Punch for Your Smile
Smile Makeovers In Time For Your Wedding Day
Smile Makeover Photos You Will Not Believe
Acid Reflux or GERD and Tooth Damage
Join Us for a Luau to Help Fund Epilepsy Research
Dentist Approved Holiday Snacks for Kids and Adults
Tips to Keep Your Smile White and Bright this Holiday Season
What’s the first step in TMJ Treatment?
What You Can Expect During a Dental Hygiene Visit May Surprise You
Are Adult Fluoride Treatments Necessary
Keep Your Gums Healthy to Avoid Tooth Loss
Your Dental Hygiene Visit is More Than A Cleaning
How Do I Know if My Child Needs Braces
Childrens Dentistry to Maintain Kids Dental Health and Teaching Good Self Care
Teeth Grinding Clenching and Bruxism
Oral Cancer & HPV: A Doctor's Perspective
Have you had your oral cancer screening this year?
It Is Never Too Late to Make Your Teeth Straight with Braces for Adults
5 Dental Myths to Avoid for the Sake of Your Oral Health
Did You Know Your Dentist at First Choice Dental Could Help Relieve Chronic Headaches?
Learn More About Lumineers, the Ultra-thin Veneers for Your Teeth
Heart & Dental Health Go Hand in Hand
Hope and Hula in Pursuit of a Cure for Epilepsy
Conscious Sedation Dentistry Helps Make Dental Visits Easier
5 New Years Resolutions for a Healthier Smile
Is Flossing Your Teeth Really Important?
Smile-Worthy Holiday Gifts That Sparkle
Tips for Super Smile-Worthy Holiday Photos
Save hundreds of dollars this holiday season? Visit your dentist before December 31.
Is dental health linked to heart health?
Dental Hygiene Month Reminder More than a Cleaning
No lectures! Plus 6 other things you THOUGHT you had to fear at the dentist, but don’t.
Which toothpaste do dentists recommend: Insights into your dentist’s medicine cabinet.
How does the orthodontics process work?
What is Multi-phase Orthodontic Treatment and how can it help me?
Children's Dental Health Month: 10 Keys To Smile Health At Every Age & Stage
We're now your Waunakee dentist with the opening of First Choice Dental's 10th facility in Waunakee.
Oral Wellness: Your Dentist Helps You Have A Healthier Smile, For a Healthier You
Smile Healthy With Summer Nutrition Tips
Dental Care Tips For Special Needs Patients
What is Sedation Dentistry and is it right for me?
What is MI Paste and how can it benefit my teeth?
What is Laser Dentistry and how can it make for comfortable dental visits?
10 Tips to Make Key Dental Dates Part of Your 2013 Calendar
Mistletoe Preparedness Tips: Holidays = Together Time. Are you ready?
Why should I make dental visits part of my back to school routine?
5 Tips for Parents about Dentists for Kids in Madison
A Look at Laser Dentistry and Waterlase Technology
Making Sense of Teeth Whitening Options
How to Find the Right Dental Care for Your Child with Special Needs
Eat Healthy for a Healthy Smile
How Can Conscious Sedation Help with Dental Fear?
Tips for a More Kissable Smile
What Your Teeth are Telling You: Your Smile Could Show Signs of Diabetes and Other Health Risks
Don't Let Halloween Treats Play Tricks on Your Healthy Teeth!
Brace Yourself for Orthodontic Health Month
Snack Shacks & Sticky Summer Treats...Tips To Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy!
What are the benefits of Invisalign(R) invisible braces and how does the process work?
GameFace Mouth Guards Help Provide Sports Safety
Ten Foods That Are Good For Your Body And Your Smile
Can my dentist turn snoring into sleeping beauty?
Sip all day. Get decay. Soda can harm your oral health.
Does a Healthy Smile Lead to a Healthy Heart? Research shows a link between oral and overall health
Your dentist may be able to relieve chronic headaches caused by TMJ
Braces-Friendly Eating Tips: Dietary Guidelines for Orthodontic Patients
How Do I Know If I Have Gum Disease & What Can I Do About It?
Fluoride: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Does flossing really make a difference?
First Choice Dental Group Fact Sheet
Can the health of my smile affect my overall health?
How can I make my smile look better with help from a cosmetic dentist?
Acid Reflux or GERD and Tooth Damage
January 20, 2016
Did you overindulge over the holidays? Or do you have broken resolutions about eating healthier that are catching up with you?
Sometimes our love for food can cause acid reflux and that can damage our smiles. Many people experience acid reflux from time to time, when acid from the stomach moves into the esophagus, as result of over-eating or eating too much of the wrong types of food – such as spicy foods, chocolate or alcohol. However, if you experience acid reflux regularly, at least twice a week, you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD causes a burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), can damage your esophagus, and can even damage your teeth.
When you experience GERD, you are at risk for the loss, or erosion of tooth enamel. This is caused when the sour acid in your stomach backs up into your throat and mouth and comes in contact with your teeth. The acid begins to break down the surface of your teeth, causing the enamel to erode.
Dr. Joe Sharkus, a dentist with First Choice Dental on Regent Street in Madison, WI, says, "People who've suffered from GERD or frequent acid reflux may see evidence of this on their teeth. This condition can cause damage from mild to moderate enamel erosion, to cavities and the need for crowns in more severe cases. Your dentist can help you determine the best course of action if your teeth have been damaged by acid reflux or GERD."
GERD also causes dry mouth, which can promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth and cause dental decay. Many patients who suffer from GERD find relief from the burning sensation in their mouth by sucking on mints or lozenges. Just make sure you are using unsweetened products. These will help promote saliva production and discourage dry mouth and won’t increase your risk of tooth decay.
Sometimes a dentist is the first health care provider to recognize GERD in a patient because of the symptoms that present orally.
If you suffer from GERD, or think you might, talk to your health care provider about diet recommendations, preventive strategies and treatment options to lessen the severity of your symptoms. Make sure to discuss your concerns with your dental provider too, so you can work together to keep your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible.
Schedule an appointment online today and see if your dentist can help with relief from damage caused by GERD or acid reflux.
