Acid Reflux/GERD and Its Affect on the Mouth & Body

What is GERD/Acid Reflux?

• Gastro esophageal reflux disease• More commonly known as acid reflux or heart

burn• Acid reflux affects the ring of muscle between

the esophagus and stomach• GERD is the return of the stomach's contents

back up into the esophagus• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2POICaNf

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Risk Factors• Eating large meals or lying down right after a meal• Being overweight or obese• Eating a heavy meal and lying on your back orbending over at the waist• Snacking close to bedtime• Eating certain foods, such as citrus, tomato, chocolate, mint, garlic,

onions, or spicy or fatty foods• Drinking certain beverages, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks,

coffee, or tea• Smoking• Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, certainmuscle relaxers, or blood pressure medication

How Does GERD Affect the Body?

• Sore throat• Chest pain• Bloating• Burping• Coughing

How to Prevent & Treat GERD

• Prevention:– Smaller meals– Diet– Not laying down for 3 hours after you eat– Elevate head while sleeping

• Medications:– Nexium® – Zantac® – Prevacid®

Food and Nutrition

• Limit these foods:– Alcohol use– Caffeine drinks such as coffee or carbonated soft

drinks– Citrus fruits– Chocolate– Fried foods– Foods made with tomatoes, such as pizza, chili, or

spaghetti sauce– Spicy foods

My Plate

• Healthy, balanced nutrition is important for overall health—body and mouth.

How Does GERD Affect the Mouth?

• Acid Erosion• Teeth will moreeasily decay• Acid Erosion willmost likely affect themolars (back teeth)• Sour taste in mouth• Bad Breath

Protecting the Teeth

• SensodynePronamel®• FluorideMouthwash• Fluoride varnish

Sources• http://www.bidmc.org/YourHealth/TherapeuticCenters/

HeartburnandGERD.aspx?ChunkID=19506• https://www.google.com/search?

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• http://www.choosemyplate.gov/images/MyPlateImages/JPG/myplate_green.jpg