Dental erosion and upper gastrointestinal disorders

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Dentistry
• Oral Health

Background:

• Dental erosions can be a symptom of underlying gastrointestinal issues.
• Upper gastrointestinal symptoms are common and can have various causes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between orodental status, specifically dental erosions, and upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
• To determine if specific gastrointestinal conditions are associated with a higher prevalence of dental erosions.

Main Methods:

• Gastroscopy was used to diagnose gastrointestinal conditions in 109 patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Patients were categorized based on their gastrointestinal diagnosis: reflux esophagitis/duodenal ulcer, post-cholecystectomy with duodenogastric reflux, or gastric ulcer.
• Orodental status, focusing on dental erosions, was examined in all patient groups.

Main Results:

• Seven patients exhibited dental erosions, all of whom belonged to the group diagnosed with reflux esophagitis or duodenal ulcer (35 patients).
• No dental erosions were observed in patients with alkaline duodenogastric reflux (48 patients) or normal gastric secretion (17 patients).
• A statistically significant association was found between gastrointestinal disorders with increased gastric acid output and the presence of dental erosions (F = 0.02).

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal disorders characterized by increased gastric acid output, such as reflux esophagitis and duodenal ulcers, are associated with dental erosions.
• The findings highlight the importance of diagnosing and treating upper gastrointestinal conditions to prevent potential irreversible dental damage.
• Early intervention for gastrointestinal issues may help preserve oral health and prevent tooth erosion.