Reflux and gum problems

[Zod44]

Hey

I thought I had got rid of my reflux problem only to be told that my teeth are eroding and I have gum disease. My heartburn and stomach ache have recently returned though. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also I had a endoscopy just over a year ago and that was fine, just a small inflammation, but would they have checked for a hernia? I have already had a epigastric hernia repair in the past. Thank you

[brucemillar]

I thank we would need ore information?

For me!! Diet was the route to stopping reflux and indigestion. I now eat salad every day and avoid any vinegar dressings. I do not eat after 19:00 and only have low fat milk with coffee & tea. I also avoid simple sugars, using sweeteners in hot drinks. Wine (which I really like) I try to limit my intake to certain days/events as I do know that a couple of glasses can bring on reflux at night.

The worst thing with reflux is it is cyclical. SO one bout irritates the throat which then encourage

[brucemillar in reply to brucemillar]

Whoops. I hit send in error. I meant to say: S one bout irritates the throat which then encourages more reflux.....and so the cycle goes on.

I also have suffered Gum Disease since my chemo. I find the Listerine Gingivitis Mouth Wash is excellent at clearing this up.

Good Luck.

Bruce

[Zod44 in reply to brucemillar]

Thank you for that I thought mouthwash was not too good for teeth especially as I have that erosion problem but I will give it a try. Thanks for you advice really helpful

[Hidden]

Reflux, especially acid, can affect the enamel on your teeth, and chemotherapy can also have effects on your teeth, so to some extent that is not surprising.

I do not know about the gum disease, but it is possible that if there is, say, reflux mixed with saliva, it could have some effect?

It sounds as if there is something that is causing a problem in your stomach area, and it is worth seeing your GP. Perhaps adjusting the dose of the medication might be worth trying for a while.

I think an endoscopy would have noted a hiatus hernia; your GP might well have access to the endoscopy report.

In the short term anti-reflux medication may well calm things down and allow the underlying cause to heal; in the longer term, it is always worthwhile trying to get the underlying cause diagnosed.

[Zod44 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that's what I thought

[tallbear]

Hello there,

I am 16 months post op Ivor Lewis, and I have also had a lot of gum problems which I am sure are linked to acid re flux which I suffered for many years. After trying out all manner of remedial efforts, mouthwashes, lozenges and even antibiotics, my GP sent me to see a Dental Specialist at the hospital who looked in my mouth and told me "Your gums are receding, this is a common problem at your age (70), yes it is a disease and NO we can't do anything about it, gums do not regenerate they keep receding until your teeth drop out"! and she assured me there was nothing she or anyone else could do about it. The only advice she gave me was to pay a dental hygienist once a month to clean the junction between the tooth and the gums. And maybe, just maybe this might slow the process down.

I have since found out that you can have gum grafts from cadavers! Yech I don't think so.

Needless to say I came away crestfallen. I have always looked after my teeth and was very upset not only at the prognosis, but also at the way I was treated by this particular dental surgeon. They could take a good lesson from Professor Hanna at St Georges who always treats his patients with care, compassion and humanity.

I have found that mouthwashes that are alcohol free and brushing with corsodol gently does the trick and my gums have not deteriorated any further.

Good Luck with it.

[Zod44 in reply to tallbear]

Thank you so I think the way to go with the gum disease is mouthwash at least for a couple of months maybe?