Gastroesophageal reflux is a common digestive disorder that yields oral complications when stomach acid flows into the mouth. In children, symptoms sometimes go unnoticed, and the affected children live normal lives. 

However, in severe cases, children may experience acidic tastes in the mouth, difficulty swallowing food, and frequent heartburn.

Luckily, you can adopt oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to help your child keep acid reflux at bay.

Here are proven ways to prevent acid reflux from damaging your kid’s teeth.

Avoid Sugary Foods

Sugar forms a rich source of food for the bacteria in your kid’s teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and tooth erosion. Try to limit your child from consuming sugar-rich snacks, drinks, and fruit juices. If your child must take snacks, control their snacking schedule by avoiding snacks before bedtime.

Avoid Sour and Acidic Foods

Foods rich in citric acid may cause a high acid influx and subsequent enamel erosion. In the worst cases, your child may experience tooth sensitivity and extreme pain.

An effective way to control acid reflux is to reduce the uptake of foods and drinks rich in citric acid. The most common sources include: oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, and berries.  In addition, ensure you check the packaging on drinks and snacks as some contain citric acid additives.

Make Brushing a Pleasant Experience

Most children who suffer from acid reflux find it challenging to brush their teeth due to tooth sensitivity and other complications. Therefore, it pays off to help your child have a pleasant experience while brushing their teeth.

For instance, you can buy your child fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash for tooth sensitivity. You could also buy a toothbrush with soft bristles that don’t scrub away the sensitive enamel layer. Another option involves buying a toothbrush with some fascinating cartoon characters.

Seek Medical Help for Acid Reflux

The best way to protect your child’s teeth against gastroesophageal reflux is to seek medical help on regulating stomach acid.

A gastro specialist can offer professional advice on lifestyle changes, including eating smaller meals, and avoiding acidic foods. In addition, the specialist may recommend prescription drugs to help regulate acid levels.

Help Your Child Rinse their Teeth After Meals or Snacks

Food leftovers between the teeth can attract bacteria and cause tooth decay. Therefore, help your child rinse their mouth after every meal or after taking a snack. Moreover, drinking plenty of water will go a long way to preventing acid reflux. Water improves saliva production and helps regulate pH balance in the mouth.

Observe a Regular Dental Checkup

A regular visit to the dentist’s office plays a role in dental health and keeping acid reflux in check. Through a regular check-up, the dentist may spot reflux damage at early stages and recommend an effective treatment plan. It is therefore advisable to take your child for a dental check-up every six months.

Your kid’s teeth are important because they enable sufficient nutrition and pave the way for healthy adult teeth. If your child has acid reflux, do not hesitate to seek urgent help from a professional dentist.