Acid Reflux

Toothaches often have preventable causes. In adults, one of the most common contributing factors to tooth decay is gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux or GERD. At Dr. Joseph Dallessandro and Dr. Jiah Choih’s Lenox Hill office, we have a number of treatments that can mitigate acid reflux’s damage, but the patient will often have to make changes to their lifestyle to stop the disease from coming back.

Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive to the body’s tissues. The stomach is protected from it by a layer of mucus, but if the acid escapes up the esophagus and into the mouth, it can cause quite a bit of pain. It dissolves enamel, leaving teeth sensitive and discolored, and prevents the saliva glands from keeping the mouth wet. We can strengthen enamel with fluoride treatments, but once it’s gone, it cannot grow back. However, we can replace it with fillings or partial crowns. When acid reflux causes gum recession, we can also use bonding to keep the teeth strong and brightly colored.

Avoiding acid reflux in the future may require a patient to consume less alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, fatty meat and dairy, and citrus juice. New saliva production can be stimulated by chewing sugarless gum and patients on medication may need to consider alternatives if the side effects are causing tooth decay.

Joseph S. Dallesandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72^nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit JosephDallessandroDDS.com, and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Dry Sockets

When teeth need to be extracted, most of our clients at Dr. Joseph Dallessandro and Dr. Jiah Choi’s Lenox Hill practice will experience easy recoveries and soon move on to the next stage of their treatment. However, when a complication does occur, it is usually in the form of a dry socket. This is a painful condition and poses a risk of infection, but we educate patients on how to avoid it and know how to treat it should it arise.

When a tooth is pulled, there will be a bit of bleeding in the empty socket. Ideally, this blood will congeal and seal the socket off, locking in moisture and keeping the surgical site free of bacteria. However, there are medications which may prevent clots from forming, and behaviors such as smoking may cause them to dissolve early. Patients are also warned not to sip from straws after an extraction because the suction could pull the clot off and leave the socket exposed.

Sockets usually close up quickly. The risk of dryness is highest during the first two days after the extraction. Patients in severe pain should schedule emergency appointments. If they are suffering a dry socket, we will apply moisturizing and antibiotic medication to the wound and prescribe painkillers, if necessary.

Joseph S. Dallesandro, DDS, and Jiah Choi, DDS, operate at 360 E 72^nd St, Ste B, New York, New York, 10021. To set up an appointment, call 212-988-1089, or visit JosephDallessandroDDS.com, and fill out a contact sheet.