Yes, acid reflux can damage your teeth, and once the damage is done it doesn’t reverse on its own. Stomach acid washing over your enamel slowly dissolves it, and enamel never grows back.
Here’s the reassuring part. This is common, and in its early stages it’s very manageable. It only becomes serious when it goes unnoticed for years, which is usually what happens, because enamel erosion doesn’t hurt until it’s already advanced. A routine exam with your family dentist in Richmond Hill will often spot it long before you feel anything.
Below you’ll find what reflux actually does to teeth, which teeth it hits first, the signs worth watching for, and what you can do about it.
What does acid reflux do to your teeth?
Enamel starts to dissolve when the pH in your mouth drops below about 5.5. Stomach acid sits far lower than that, usually between 1.5 and 3.5.
So every time reflux reaches your mouth, your teeth get a short acid bath. One episode won’t do much. Years of episodes will.
This is called dental erosion, and it’s different from a cavity. A cavity is caused by bacteria producing acid in one spot. Erosion is chemical, it’s widespread, and it affects whole surfaces of several teeth at once. That’s why a regular dental cleaning and exam matters so much here, since a dentist is comparing your enamel against how it looked last visit.
Worth knowing: you don’t need classic heartburn to have a problem. Silent reflux, where acid rises without the burning sensation, damages enamel just as effectively. Plenty of people find out they have reflux because their dentist noticed the wear first.
Which teeth does reflux damage first?
The pattern is distinctive, and it’s one of the ways a dentist can tell reflux erosion apart from other kinds of wear.
Acid from the stomach tends to pool against the inside surfaces of your upper front teeth, the side your tongue touches. That’s usually where it shows up first. Most people never see this area in the mirror, which is part of why it goes unnoticed.
Next come the chewing surfaces of your molars, where the cusps start to look flattened or scooped out. If you already have fillings back there, you may notice the filling starting to sit higher than the tooth around it. That’s not the filling growing. That’s the enamel beside it wearing down, and it often means those fillings need to be reviewed.
Acid from food and drink behaves differently. Citrus, soda and sports drinks hit the front surfaces of your teeth, the ones people see. So the location of the wear tells a real story.
What are the warning signs of acid erosion?
Enamel erosion is quiet in the beginning. These are the signs that tend to appear as it progresses:
- Sensitivity to cold, sweet or sour things that’s getting worse over time
- Teeth looking more yellow, because thinning enamel lets the darker dentin underneath show through
- Edges of the front teeth turning see-through or glassy near the tips
- Small cupped dents on the chewing surfaces of molars
- Fillings that seem to stand proud of the surrounding tooth
- Teeth looking rounded and smooth, losing their normal texture and ridges
- Chipping or cracking at the edges more easily than before
- Teeth looking shorter, or your bite feeling different
If the front edges have already thinned or chipped, the fix is usually cosmetic as well as protective. Options like porcelain veneers can rebuild the shape and shield what’s left of the enamel.
A quick note on safety. Erosion plus sudden severe pain, swelling in your face or gums, or a tooth that’s broken down to the gumline is no longer a routine issue. That needs same day attention.
Is it erosion or is it a cavity?
People mix these up constantly. They’re treated differently, so the distinction matters. You can see the full range of treatments on our dental services page.
| Feature | Acid erosion | Tooth decay (cavity) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Acid from the stomach or diet | Bacteria feeding on sugars |
| Pattern | Broad, smooth, several teeth | One spot, often between or on top of a tooth |
| Appearance | Shiny, rounded, see-through edges | Dark spot, hole, soft area |
| Pain | General sensitivity, gradual | Localised ache, can be sharp |
| Treatment | Stop the acid, strengthen, rebuild if needed | Remove the decay, restore the tooth |
You can have both at the same time, and reflux makes decay more likely too, because softened enamel gives bacteria an easier target.
How is reflux damage treated?
Treatment depends entirely on how far the wear has gone. The first job is always to stop the acid, because no restoration survives long in a mouth that’s still being bathed in it.
Early erosion
At this stage the enamel is thinning but still intact. The approach is protective: prescription strength fluoride, remineralising pastes, changes to timing and habits, and closer monitoring with photographs so your dentist can measure whether it’s still progressing.
Nothing gets drilled. That’s the whole point of catching it early.
Moderate erosion
Once dentin is exposed, sensitivity usually becomes the main complaint. Bonding can cover exposed areas and rebuild worn edges. It’s conservative, it’s done in one visit, and it buys time.
Advanced erosion
When teeth have lost significant height or structural strength, dental crowns may be needed to restore function and protect what remains.
In cases where the bite itself has collapsed from years of wear, treatment is planned across the whole mouth rather than tooth by tooth. Your dentist will walk you through the sequence and timing before anything begins.
How can you protect your teeth if you have reflux?
These steps make a measurable difference, and the first one surprises most people.
- Don’t brush straight after an episode. Softened enamel scrubs away. Wait 30 to 60 minutes.
- Rinse instead. Plain water works. Water with a little baking soda works better, since it neutralises the acid.
- Chew sugar free gum for ten minutes afterwards. Saliva is your natural buffer, and chewing increases it.
- Treat the reflux itself. Speak with your physician. Managing the cause protects far more than managing the symptoms.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste, and ask whether a higher strength prescription version suits you.
- Avoid eating within three hours of lying down, and consider raising the head of your bed.
- Use a soft bristled brush and go gently. Hard scrubbing accelerates the loss.
- Keep your checkups regular. Erosion is tracked by comparison over time, which only works if you’re being seen.
One more thing. If you’re on medication that dries your mouth, mention it. Low saliva removes your main defence against acid, and the combination does more damage than either factor alone.
When should you see a dentist about it?
Book an appointment if you’ve had reflux for more than six months, if cold drinks have started bothering you, or if your front teeth are looking shorter or more transparent at the edges.
Don’t wait for pain. By the time erosion hurts reliably, you’ve usually lost enamel that could have been saved.
At Hummingbird Dental Clinic on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill, erosion screening is part of a standard exam. We’re a Top Choice Award winning clinic serving families across Richmond Hill, Oak Ridges, Thornhill, Markham, Vaughan, Aurora and North York, and we’re accepting new patients.
We’re open Tuesday through Saturday, including evening appointments on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, which helps if you’re fitting this around work. We accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan and most private insurance plans, and our team can submit a predetermination so you know your coverage before treatment starts.
Call 647-370-2024, text 437-995-0592, or email info@hummingbirddental.ca. You’ll find us at 10376 Yonge Street, Unit 202. Every dentist on our team is licensed and regulated by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.
Frequently asked questions
Can enamel damaged by acid reflux grow back?
No. Enamel has no living cells, so your body can’t regenerate it. Early softening can be partly remineralised with fluoride and calcium phosphate products, which hardens what’s still there. Once the enamel is physically gone, it has to be replaced with bonding, a veneer or a crown.
How long does it take for reflux to damage teeth?
It varies a lot. Frequent, untreated reflux can produce visible changes within one to two years. Milder or well managed reflux may take much longer. Your saliva flow, enamel thickness, diet and whether you grind your teeth all shift the timeline.
Will my dentist know I have reflux just by looking?
Often, yes. The wear pattern on the inside of the upper front teeth is characteristic enough that dentists regularly raise the possibility before a patient has any diagnosis. It’s not a substitute for medical assessment, but it’s a common reason people get referred to their physician.
Does reflux medication stop the tooth damage?
It helps considerably by reducing how much acid reaches your mouth, but it doesn’t repair existing erosion and doesn’t always eliminate every episode. You still need the protective dental routine alongside it, and existing damage still needs restoring.
Is sensitivity from erosion permanent?
Usually not. Most sensitivity improves once the acid exposure stops and the exposed dentin is treated with fluoride, desensitising agents or bonding. If it persists after treatment, your dentist will check for a crack or nerve involvement, since those need a different approach.
The bottom line
Acid reflux does damage teeth, and because enamel doesn’t regrow, the earlier it’s caught the less you lose. The warning signs are visual long before they’re painful, so a regular exam is your best protection. If you have reflux and haven’t had your enamel checked recently, that’s the one thing worth booking.
