This year, the American Dental Association (ADA) marks the 60th anniversary of celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month. Each February, the ADA promotes the importance of regular brushing, diet and dental visits for the dental health of children. There is a great deal of evidence that children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) are at greater risk for tooth enamel erosion. Stomach acid that is refluxed into the mouth may wash over the teeth and lead to tooth decay.
Toddlers and children with GERD may face barriers to obtaining the home and dental office care needed to monitor dental health and prevent problems. I have conducted a small case study on this issue in my own household. My non refluxer was in her late teens before she had one tiny little cavity. My two refluxers had dental issues that ranged from mild to severe. We faced several key barriers to getting dental care including resistance to tooth brushing and using flavored tooth paste.
I have listed the common problems associated with dental care for children with GERD and some possible solutions.
Yuck, it tastes bad!
Does this sound like your refluxer? Resistance to tooth brushing and flavored toothpaste/mouthwash/fluoride rinse is common for children with GERD. My kids are very wary of a new taste or texture in their mouth. They tell me the toothpaste flavors backwash and mix with acid, causing a really bad taste in their mouth, even hours later.
I always remember taking my refluxer to the dentist and listening as the dental hygienist recited the long list of yummy sounding flavors for the fluoride treatment. Strawberry? Grape? My stomach would rumble with hunger just at the mention of the flavors. But my refluxer was sitting there squirming in her seat thinking, “Strawberry? Yuck! Grape? Not in a million years.” At the end of the long list of flavors, she would pause and say, “Well...I guess the marshmallow didn’t sound too yucky. “ The reality is, while most kids had a hard time choosing just one flavor, she was trying desperately to figure out a way not to choose any of the above!
Try every flavor, color and packaging and hopefully you will stumble upon a brand of toothpaste your refluxer will tolerate. Be sure to supervise the tooth brushing so just a tiny amount is placed on the brush. Look for a soft toothbrush with a small brush. Some children react to the texture of the bristles and feel like they will gag when something is in their mouth.
I don’t want to brush my teeth.
I don’t know too many children who truly look forward to brushing their teeth unless they just got a new Thomas the Tank toothbrush. But the fun only lasts a few days. While your child may have an average interest/motivation to brush, keep in mind that acid may damage the enamel on the surface of the teeth causing sensitivity to eating and brushing. Ask the dentist if there is a child-friendly toothpaste for sensitive teeth. In addition, you might have to have motivate your child with a sticker chart or reward for brushing every day.
