Association of Dental Erosion with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Adult Patients

Background: One chronic gastrointestinal disorder that manifests extra-esophageal is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and complicated mouth-related problems like dental erosion which is seldom recognized. Dental erosion is the dissolution of the structural components that comprise a tooth caused by an acid attack. Objective: Assess dental erosion consequences of gastroesophageal reflux disease in adult patients. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and observational in design done in one year in one hospital with 100 adults diagnosed with GERD. A comprehensive five-sectioned questionnaire was completed encompassing the participant’s demographics, medical history, GERD-related factors (duration and severity), dietary, and oral hygiene behaviors. Clinical oral assessment was done and dental erosion scoring was performed using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with Chi-square and SPSS software. A p-value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Of the total study participants, 62% had dental erosion. There was a higher prevalence of dental erosion observed in patients with a longer duration and greater severity of GERD symptoms. Among study participants, the correlation of dental erosion and severity of GERD symptoms was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The research identifies a clear link between GERD and dental erosion among adult patients. Tooth erosion and GERD are often overlooked in dental assessments. Early dental evaluations and interdisciplinary approaches are pivotal in obtaining a diagnosis and managing care to enhance outcomes.