Dental Health Check with Dr. Linda Niessen
Dental health topics from Dr. Linda Niessen of Baylor College of Dentistry
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 Reflux and Oral Health

By Dr. Linda Niessen
Monday, July 19, 2004

STORY: REFLUX & ORAL HEALTH

Acid reflux disease may be harmful to your oral health. Some dentists are seeing its effects in their dental patients. Dr. Linda Niessen has details in this segment of Dental Health Check.

After years of perfect check-ups, Megan Rex was shocked when dentist gave her the bad news.  Megan had decay in  seven teeth.
 
"Definitely a shock to come in and have seven cavities between one visit and the next visit."

X-rays showed cavities in between Megan's teeth, decay which may be related  to a chronic acid reflux problem.

Dentist Dr. Jill Wade said, "Unusual in the dental world to just all of a sudden have that occur without some kind of cause.  And so we're looking for that cause, asking more questions, trying to pinpoint what in their diet has changed, what kind of medications they might be on , having to take Tums, over the counter medications, things like that.  Then we're pinpointing a lot of this to reflux."

Acid reflux, also called GERD, is a  common complaint in adults.

Physician Dr. Guy Culpepper says, "There is hardly a patient I see that at some time or another hasn't taken over the counter medicine for what they perceive to be heartburn or reflux." 

In Megan's case, the decay could be related to the sugary antacid tablets she frequently chewed. To improve her oral health, she now uses a prescription strength fluoride mouth rinse.  It makes her tooth enamel stronger.

Stomach acid also can cause tooth enamel to erode.  Patients who suffer from bulimia, an eating disorder, often show signs of dental erosion from frequent vomiting.

Research shows chewing gum after a meal helps reduce acid reflux.  And we also know that chewing sugarless gum specifically with xylitol, also prevents tooth decay.  For Baylor College of  Dentistry, Texas A&M System, I'm Dr. Linda Niessen, Channel 8 News.

Dr. Linda Niessen, clinical professor in the Department of Restorative Sciences and  the Office of Communications and Development at Baylor College of Dentistry, hosts Dental Health Check, the only weekly dental feature shot on location in the nation.

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