Acid and your teeth
Did you know acid can damage your teeth? Frequent vomiting caused by morning sickness or health conditions resulting in acid reflux (such as GERD) can expose your teeth to high levels of stomach acid and damage your teeth.
The outer layer of your teeth (we call it “enamel”) is extremely strong, but can be damaged by acids. Every day, teeth are exposed to acid in the form of soda, citrus fruits, pasta sauce, and many other things we love to eat and drink. Under normal conditions, the teeth can fix themselves through the minerals found in your saliva and the fluoride in your toothpaste. However, there are some conditions that expose your teeth to extra acid and, in these cases, the teeth can become damaged beyond the level that can be repaired naturally. Special care can be taken with your at-home oral hygiene to protect your teeth if you are at a high-risk for acid damage.
Many pregnant women suffer from ”morning sickness” and experience frequent vomiting. Stomach acid is extremely strong and can quickly damage the surface of teeth. This same acid can be introduced into the mouth in patients with GERD or even mild acid reflux. In these cases, the teeth are exposed to the strong acids of the stomach and minerals in the outer layer of the teeth are lost, which can make them weak and highly susceptible to developing cavities. The good news is that this loss of minerals can be repaired through the use of the right toothpastes and mouth rinses.
The key to repairing your teeth is to expose them to the minerals that they have lost. And doing this is easier than you might think! If you are someone who suffers from acid on your teeth, then we recommend some special oral hygiene products and instructions.
After throwing up or experiencing acid reflux:
The outer layer of your teeth (we call it “enamel”) is extremely strong, but can be damaged by acids. Every day, teeth are exposed to acid in the form of soda, citrus fruits, pasta sauce, and many other things we love to eat and drink. Under normal conditions, the teeth can fix themselves through the minerals found in your saliva and the fluoride in your toothpaste. However, there are some conditions that expose your teeth to extra acid and, in these cases, the teeth can become damaged beyond the level that can be repaired naturally. Special care can be taken with your at-home oral hygiene to protect your teeth if you are at a high-risk for acid damage.
Many pregnant women suffer from ”morning sickness” and experience frequent vomiting. Stomach acid is extremely strong and can quickly damage the surface of teeth. This same acid can be introduced into the mouth in patients with GERD or even mild acid reflux. In these cases, the teeth are exposed to the strong acids of the stomach and minerals in the outer layer of the teeth are lost, which can make them weak and highly susceptible to developing cavities. The good news is that this loss of minerals can be repaired through the use of the right toothpastes and mouth rinses.
The key to repairing your teeth is to expose them to the minerals that they have lost. And doing this is easier than you might think! If you are someone who suffers from acid on your teeth, then we recommend some special oral hygiene products and instructions.
After throwing up or experiencing acid reflux:
- Rinse your mouth out with water.
- Rinse with a basic (the opposite of acidic) mouth rinse to neutralize the acid.
- Brush with a high-fluoride toothpaste.
- Rinse with the basic mouth rinse again.
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Special toothpaste:
“Gold Standard” option: CariFree CTx4 This toothpaste helps repair your teeth and also reduces the acidity of your mouth. This is extremely important if you are experiencing frequent vomiting or acid reflux. It is produced by a company called CariFree and is made for people suffering from acidic mouths. |
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Back up plan:
Crest Pro-Health Gum and Sensitivity While this option doesn’t neutralize acid, it will help remineralize the teeth. It’s not specifically designed for acidic environments (like the toothpaste above) but it’s still better than other over-the-counter options. Available at Target, CVS, Walmart, Amazon, etc. |
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Special Mouthrinse:
Did you know that many over-the-counter mouth rinses are actually slightly acidic? This isn’t a big deal for people with “normal” oral environments, but if you are suffering from frequent acid exposure this is not ideal for you. For this reason, we recommended the following mouth rinses: “Gold Standard” option: CariFree CTx3 Rinse CariFree CTx4 Rinse This rinse is basic and will help reduce the acid in your mouth. It also has fluoride and other minerals that are important for repairing the damaged teeth. CTx3 is great for expectant mothers who are experiencing morning sickness and didn’t have any acid issues beforehand. CTx4 is better for people with GERD who have been experiencing acid reflux for some time. |
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Back up plan:
Making a rinse at home out of baking soda is an effective way to keep your mouth from being acidic. Fill a glass with water and add one tablespoon of baking soda. Stir it and then rinse. This will neutralize the acid without breaking the bank.
Please feel free to talk to us about acid and your teeth at your next visit if you are experiencing any of the conditions discussed here. These products are a good place to start, but every case is different. It is important we take a look at your teeth and make sure these tools are a good fit for you. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping your teeth stay healthy!
Making a rinse at home out of baking soda is an effective way to keep your mouth from being acidic. Fill a glass with water and add one tablespoon of baking soda. Stir it and then rinse. This will neutralize the acid without breaking the bank.
Please feel free to talk to us about acid and your teeth at your next visit if you are experiencing any of the conditions discussed here. These products are a good place to start, but every case is different. It is important we take a look at your teeth and make sure these tools are a good fit for you. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping your teeth stay healthy!