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Summer time is bloom. This means lots of backyard cookouts, BBQs, and beers.
As you’re probably already aware, one of the vital ways to keep your teeth healthy is by eating the right food.
Sugary and acidic food cause dental decay and cavities. But did you know that acid reflux could also be an underlying cause of your enamel erosion? If you’ve ever had acid reflux, then you know that it’s bad enough in itself.
Beyond the awful digestive side effects of acid reflux, you should also worry about getting it under control for the sake of your dental health.
What is Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, also known as GERD, is a common disorder for a lot of Americans, especially in the summer.
Acid reflux happens when the valve in your lower esophagus doesn’t open and close properly, allowing stomach acid to travel back up your esophagus into your mouth.
Usually, when you’re suffering from acid reflux, you’ll feel a burning sensation in your chest, hence the term “heartburn.”
When acid reflux persists for more than twice in a week, it’s considered GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Causes of Acid Reflux
So, you might be wondering “why does acid reflux happen more often in the summer?” Well, because there are a lot of summertime lifestyle choices that can cause acid reflux:
- Eating large meals can cause acid reflux. As you know, there are a lot of summer holidays, which require a lot of summer feasting. Beyond eating large meals, you can also get acid reflux from eating fatty foods. Summer feasts call for fatty foods, like BBQ ribs, grilled hot dogs, and other indulgences.
These foods also call for acidic foods, like citrus and mounds of ketchup and BBQ sauce. Wash a feast down with some celebratory chocolate cakes, and you’re on your way to acid reflux city. Lying on your back and bending at the waist can also affect the way your body digests these foods, so be careful to sit up straight while you eat.
- Drinking summertime beverages. If you’re like most people, you go into party mode in the summer. This means that your alcohol and carbonated beverage consumption increases. When you spend the entire day by the lake guzzling back light beers, you’re more like to suffer from acid reflux.
- Certain medications. After a long day in the sun kicking back cold ones, you might end up with a sun headache. This leads to increased aspirin and ibuprofen usage in the summer. Unfortunately, NSAIDS can cause a nasty case of acid reflux.
The occasional summertime bout of acid reflux isn’t going to destroy your teeth. However, when it begins to happen regularly, you might want to nip it in the bud for your teeth’s sake.
How Acid Reflux Causes Tooth Decay
Acid reflux puts you at a risk for cavities and tooth decay. Oftentimes, acid reflux occurs at night. It can even happen without you realizing it.
When acid travels back up your windpipe and into your mouth, it coats your teeth and eats away your enamel.
Chronic GERD also makes your mouth incredibly dry. On top of this, medication for GERD also tends to dry your mouth out.
When you don’t have adequate saliva production to wash away bacteria and plaque, you’re at a higher risk for cavities and tooth decay.
One way you can cut back on dental problems from acid reflux is by treating the reflux at its source. Avoid reflux triggers, like beer, hot dogs, hot wings, and spicy food.
If you do have to take TUMS or Pepcid AC, keep your mouth hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Take care of your mouth by taking care of your entire body.