Acid Reflux

As part of our focus on preventive care, we at Bear Creek Dental want to educate our patients about one of the most common causes of toothaches in adults: acid reflux disease. This condition can be highly damaging to oral health, but there are ways of managing it.

Although tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, it is easily eroded by stomach acid. If a patient’s stomach acid escapes into their esophagus at least twice a week, they are said to be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or, more informally, heartburn. The upper back teeth are the ones in the most vulnerable position and their erosion usually follows a pattern. First, the teeth look frosted and glazed, then they develop small cracks, and finally, the cusps wear away.

Although damaged enamel cannot be regrown, it can be repaired with fillings and partial crowns. But because acid reflux is painful and can contribute to esophageal cancer, patients will need to prevent it anyway. Reducing intake of fatty meats, citrus juice, onions, garlic, chocolate, and alcohol is a good start, as is avoiding large meals before bed and maintaining better posture.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit BearCreekDental.CA.

 

Tooth Sensitivity in Children

Our child patients are no less important to us than adults at Bear Creek Dental, and we want to help children resolve problems they may experience with oversensitivity. It is an unfortunate truth that new teeth pushing through the gum line sometimes cause soreness and that new teeth will be sensitive when they are first exposed to air. However, there are some other reasons for tooth sensitivity in children which require our attention.

Children are the demographic which is most likely to experience cavities. They also experience high rates of gingivitis. This usually happens when they don’t brush their teeth enough. However, an alternative reason for sensitivity is that they are brushing too hard, damaging their gum tissue and allowing their tooth roots to become exposed.

It is important to encourage children to be as specific as possible when describing their symptoms. Soreness in the back upper teeth may indicate a sinus infection. Pain in their jaws may indicate that they are grinding or clenching their teeth while asleep. It is also possible that there is a greater underlying problem which needs to be investigated. Children with diabetes have higher rates of gum inflammation, and people with autism are often more sensitive in general.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit BearCreekDental.CA.