Acid Reflux and Teeth

The team at Chapel Street Dental highly values preventive care, which is why we want to educate our patients about the dangers of acid reflux. This disease can have a devastating effect on the body, teeth included, but we can help fix the damage.

Stomach acid is so strong that the stomach secretes special mucus to protect itself. When that acid escapes upward into the esophagus, it burns as it goes. This is what causes the sensation called heartburn. When the acid reaches the mouth, it erodes the enamel covering the teeth, leaving them more sensitive. If a patient experiences acid reflux twice a week or more, they are said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These people’s teeth are eroded so much they appear to become glazed before developing tiny pits.

Patients can prevent acid reflux by reducing their intake of citric acid, onions, garlic, fried meat, and alcohol. They would also do well not to eat before lying down. We can also provide fluoride treatments that will better protect their enamel and repair damage the teeth have already incurred.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit New Haven Dental and fill out a contact form.

 

Children's Biannual Check-Ups

No child should have to endure a toothache. To clean and restore children’s teeth before decay progresses, we recommend that they visit the dentist twice a year. If yours have not done so yet, now is a good time.

The most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one in five children have untreated cavities. This contributes to several problems. Young children’s speech development may be delayed by dental pain. Children of all ages may be reluctant to eat and have difficulty sleeping, making them unfocused and irritable. People who suffer from chronic stress are likelier to engage in nighttime teeth grinding, which also causes dental pain.

When children do have tooth decay, it is best for them to be treated as early as possible so that the decay does not get bad enough to require a root canal or replacement crown. Children who do not have tooth decay should also be brought in for regular check-ups so we can provide sealants, which will make them less likely to get cavities in the future, and so we can determine whether their permanent teeth are coming in correctly.

Chapel Street Dental is located at 806 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510. To schedule an appointment, call 203-772-1000 or visit NewHavenDental.care and fill out a contact form.