Stomach acid reflux disease, a condition where stomach acid (hydrochloric acid, pH ~1.5) chronically flows back into the mouth, leads to chemical, not mechanical, erosion of the teeth; this condition is called “Perimolysis” or “Dental Erosion.” Reflux-related erosion has very clear clinical differences from general tooth wear (bruxism, etc.). In reflux erosion, when stomach acid enters the mouth, it first contacts the back (palatal) surfaces of the upper teeth and the chewing surfaces of the molars. Therefore, the enamel on the back of the upper front teeth completely erodes and thins, and the incisal edges of the teeth become transparent and brittle. On the chewing surfaces of the molars, old fillings remain raised like islands, while the surrounding natural enamel erodes, creating pits (craterization). If this acidic erosion is combined with mechanical brushing, tooth loss accelerates dramatically.
