TOOTH EROSION, GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX, AND SALIVARY BUFFER CAPACITY

To obtain information on the connection between tooth erosion and acid gastroesophageal reflux, 14 patients (mean age, 15.7 years) with toot h erosion were investigated with simultaneous 24-hour pH monitoring in the esophagus and the oral cavity. Salivary parameters were also inve stigated in a larger group of 62 erosion patients (mean age, 21 years) and compared with a group of 50 controls (mean age, 28 years). No cha nges in oral pH were observed in a total of 339 acid reflux episodes, not even in long supine reflux episodes. Extended periods of lowered i ntra-oral pH to the level of 4 to 5 were observed but not connected wi th gastroesophageal reflux episodes. Significantly more (p < 0.001) er osion patients (34 of 62) had low salivary buffer capacity compared wi th controls (10 of 50).