25 Mar Heartburn and Dental Health: How Acid Reflux Affects Your Teeth
Do you get frequent heartburn? Have you been diagnosed with GERD? If you answered yes, then you might want to talk to a dentist about how it’s affecting your teeth.
Acid reflux can be dangerous for your oral health. It erodes your tooth enamel, which makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities. It also causes dry mouth and inflammation, two of the leading causes of gum disease.
However, you can prevent the damage that acid reflux causes by taking a few simple steps. Our dentists explain more below.
Acid Reflux and Your Dental Health
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a clinical condition suffered by millions worldwide. Heartburn and acid regurgitation are two of its most common symptoms, and both can cause problems with your dental health.
Acid reflux can cause:
- Enamel erosion
- Dry mouth
- Sensitivity
- Inflammation
- Teeth grinding
- TMJ disorders
With GERD, digestive acids from the stomach rise up your throat, coating the surfaces of your tongue and teeth. Because an acidic environment weakens your tooth enamel, repeated exposure will eventually cause cavities. Regurgitated stomach acids also irritate and inflame your gums, leaving them vulnerable to infections.
How to Combat Dental Health Problems from GERD
If you have GERD or frequent heartburn, then you need to take some active steps to protect your teeth. You can prevent the damage that acid reflux causes by adding more probiotics to your diet, neutralizing acidic saliva by drinking more water, and practicing a holistic dental care routine.
Take Probiotics to Prevent Heartburn
Studies show that probitics may help reduce the frequency of heartburn, acid reflux, and other symptoms of GERD. They can also help alleviate some of the side effects of medications, and make antacids more effective.
Adding more probiotics to your diet can have benefits for your dental health, as well. The “good bacteria” in yogurt, kimchi, and other fermented foods fight the bad bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. They help neutralize harmful acids and prevent plaque from sticking to your teeth.
Keep Your Teeth Plaque-Free
When the bacteria in plaque digest sugars from your food, they release acids into your mouth. The more acidic your saliva is, the higher your risk of cavities and gum disease. If you have plaque and tartar buildup, as well as GERD, your dental health is going to suffer.
To keep your teeth plaque-free, practice a holistic oral care routine that includes daily brushing and flossing, a salt water rinse, and perhaps even oil pulling. And don’t forget to visit your dentist regularly for cleanings. Plaque can build up below your gum line and in between your teeth, and you’ll need frequent cleanings to remove it.
Drink Water to Prevent Dry Mouth
One of the best ways to prevent dry mouth is to remember to drink enough water throughout the day. Drinking water has many dental benefits—it washes away food debris, strengthens your tooth enamel, and helps fight acid attacks from plaque.
If you find that drinking water makes your heartburn worse, try drinking through a straw, or just rinsing and gargling with water instead. This will help restore a neutral balance to your saliva and prevent dry mouth. Rinsing your mouth with water after meals will also help protect your teeth from acid attacks and prevent plaque buildup.
Holistic Dental Care in Prescott, AZ
If you have frequent heartburn and you’re worried about how it might affect your teeth, make an appointment at Prescott Dentistry. We’re a holistic practice that focuses on prevention first. If you have questions about how health conditions like GERD can affect your dental health, or how natural remedies like prebiotics might help, please let us know! Contact us to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by emy on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for Commercial Use 3/19/25.