Our teeth withstand several substances from what we eat. Such is the case with acid reflux. Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), is a common digestion problem. Some people may think of acid reflux as a stomach problem. However, it affects our tooth enamel and increases the risk of tooth decay.
Acid reflux may occur when the acids produced by the stomach move up to the esophagus. When the acid moves up, it can cause chest pain -usually heartburns. Such acids can easily damage your teeth. If you experience similar symptoms, you should contact a dentist in Richmond Hill, Ontario. It will also help if you become aware of how to protect your teeth from acid reflux, as mentioned below.
Tips for protecting your teeth from acid reflux:
- Thorough dental care
One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your teeth from acid reflux is by practicing thorough dental care and visiting your dentist every three months. Proper dental care can help you preserve your tooth enamel, and seeing your dentist can make you aware of the practices to protect the teeth from decay. You should brush and floss at least once every day.
- Try to limit spicy and acidic foods.
The primary cause of acid reflux is directly associated with your diet. It would help to cut back on foods such as citrus fruits or pasta sauce to protect your tooth’s enamel. It will be necessary to avoid foods that contain acidic and spicy substances. Acidic and spicy foods can increase the chances of acid reflux and heartburn.
- If you had an acidic meal, do not brush your teeth right away.
When you consume an acidic meal, your tooth’s enamel becomes soft. The acids soften the enamel of your teeth. Similarly, if you brush your teeth immediately after a sour meal, you will likely wear off the enamel. It will also help if you use a soft-bristled brush to protect your tooth enamel and start brushing at least after an hour of having an acidic meal.
- Try to eat smaller bites.
It would be best to try eating smaller bites to reduce the chances of acid reflux. When you eat smaller bites of food, your teeth can chew and digest them properly. Proper digestion of food will significantly reduce the chances of your stomach causing acid reflux problems. Eating smaller chunks will also protect your tooth’s enamel.
Once you start practicing the abovementioned practices, you can effectively reduce the chances of acid reflux. Apart from the tips mentioned above, it would be best if you also tried to drink plenty of water to improve digestion ad wash off food particles stuck in your teeth. Additionally, it would help if you tried to swish your mouth with water shortly after eating.
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