If you are the victim of frequent vomiting due to a health condition, it can wreak havoc on your body. In addition to irritating the stomach and esophagus, not to mention weight loss, frequent vomiting can also damage your teeth.
Each time you vomit, gastric acid is brought up from your stomach and into your mouth. Gastric acid is the harsh substance that is meant to break down your food during the digestive process.
Your mouth and teeth are not meant to sustain contact with this strong acid. When your mouth is repeatedly exposed to gastric acid, the result is damage to your teeth.
The acid attacks the enamel, the protective, hard coating on your teeth. Once that enamel wears away, your teeth can begin to erode.
What Can Happen as a Result of Frequent Vomiting
If you continue to experience frequent vomiting on a regular basis, your teeth will pay the price in a matter of months. The enamel will start to break down, your teeth can become more translucent, and sensitivity to temperature changes is common. You could lose teeth or need significant repairs to restore your teeth.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Teeth from the Dangers of Vomiting
You may have a condition that causes vomiting that simply can’t be helped. While you may not be able to stop your attacks of vomiting, you can do something about your teeth. When you endure another round of vomiting, avoid brushing your teeth.
While your instinct is to immediately clean your teeth and get that awful taste out of your mouth, you may want to consider some steps below you can take:
- Wait an hour or longer before brushing so you don’t spread the acid across your teeth and cause additional complications.
- Add baking soda to a cup of water and give yourself an additional rinse. It will also be beneficial to use a mouth rinse designed to be used after vomiting has occurred.
- Be sure to maintain a good, oral hygiene routine when you are not sick, and brush with a toothbrush that has soft bristles.
- Make sure to brush below the gum line.
- Take care with your eating habits and avoid foods or drinks that are high in acid.
It will be beneficial to visit the dentist to have your teeth monitored. Contact the office of Dr. Jamie Elizabeth Sands today to make an appointment. By working together, we can develop a plan that will protect your teeth for years to come.