At a glance:
- GERD symptoms can be found in the mouth
- GERD may be caused by H.pylori infection
- H.pylori infection may colonize the oral microbiome and prevent the digestive system from healing
Dentists work with the digestive system day in day out. You may not think of it this way, but your dental health closely connected to healthy digestion. Acid reflux or GERD symptoms can cause severe damage to teeth. Digestive problems like GERD and H.pylori all have signs in the mouth.
The oral microbiome is the population of microbes that live in your mouth. Every time you swallow, thousands of microbes are delivered to your gut microbiome.
Bacteria in your stomach or mouth that can affect your entire digestive system. Bacteria, such as H. pylori, can affect your health and overall wellness. We now know that H. pylori infection can lead to diseases that affect your gut, such as GERD.
In this article, we are going to discuss the link between your oral microbiome, bleeding gums, and digestive health. We will examine GERD symptoms and how they can relate to an H.pylori infection.
What are typical GERD symptoms?
GERD is a simpler way to refer to gastroesophageal reflux disease. GERD symptoms are also commonly known as heartburn or acid reflux:
- Heartburn
- Chest pain
- Sensitive teeth
- Tooth erosion
- Discolored or see-through tongue
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Persistent dry cough
- Sore throat
- Rough or hoarse voice
- Regurgitation of food or sour liquid (acid reflux)
- Feeling of a lump in your throat
The ring of muscle located between your esophagus and stomach is called the LES (the lower esophageal sphincter). GERD is a sign of a weakened the LES. This causes acid to escape into the throat and mouth. Problems with the LES is caused by intra-abdominal pressure.
This acid gives you the feeling of heartburn or acid indigestion. It can cause severe stomach pain. Some people with GERD can also develop hernias. This means that the trap door of the esophagus does not close properly.
When the seal of the stomach doesn’t close, gastric acid can escape up into the throat and mouth. GERD symptoms may then affect your mouth and teeth.
What is H. pylori infection?
H. pylori is short for Helicobacter pylori. A group of bacterium that lives in your digestive tract. In health, it will live without any problem at all. If the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, it can quickly cause disease in the digestive system.
The H. pylori bacteria can wear down and attack your stomach lining. This lining is important, as it protects your abdomen from your stomach acid. This acid is important, as it helps you to digest the food you eat.
H. pylori is known to cause stomach ulcers. Sores and ulcers will appear in your stomach lining. Ulcers can also appear in your small intestine. If left untreated, these ulcers can lead to stomach cancer in some people. The presence of H.pylori in your digestive system can have a dire impact on your health.
How are GERD and H. pylori related?
While H.pylori is related to stomach ulcers, is it also related to GERD symptoms?
H.pylori infection is known to suppress stomach acids. The problem with lower stomach acid is that the low pH is normally used as a defense against certain bacteria. Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO for example) may be due to a lack of stomach acid in the first place.
When there is an overgrowth of the wrong species in the digestive system, improper digestion can occur. This can cause gas build up and intra-abdominal pressure. IAP may then result in GERD symptoms.
H.pylori infection is a common condition that may cause GERD symptoms
Many scientists now believe that GERD is caused by an underlying gut microbiome imbalance. It has been found that many patients who have GERD also have IBS. IBS is known to be caused by digestive imbalance.
If you experience GERD or other digestive problems, it may have begun with bacterial imbalance.
How do you get H. pylori infection?
H. Pylori is very common. It is most commonly acquired in children and can stay in the gut until adulthood. It is estimated that up to two-thirds of all people have H. Pylori in their gut. For many people, it does not cause any problems at all.
It is often spread by the use of water, food and even from cutlery and other utensils. You can also get H. Pylori from other people, through their saliva.
How can H. pylori and GERD affect the oral microbiome?
GERD can cause acid reflux into the mouth. These acids can weaken the teeth and can cause bad breath. GERD symptoms may be caused by underlying H.Pylori infection.
However, once the disease process is in play, H.Pylori infection may also be present in the mouth.
H. pylori symptoms and dental disease
Recent studies have shown that the mouth is a common place to find H. Pylori.
In addition to causing problems for your stomach and GI tract, H. Pylori causes dental disease. H.pylori is present in the oral microbiome during gum disease. Bleeding gums or gum disease may be a sign of H.pylori infection in the mouth.
Treatments may focus on removing H.pylori from your stomach, but it will keep returning from your mouth. This means that you will be trapped in a never-ending cycle. Getting rid of your H. Pylori must include removing it from your mouth.
The mouth-body connection
Like most conditions, there is often a link back to what we see in the mouth. The oral-systemic link shows that GERD symptoms may be caused by underlying H.pylori infection.
If you experience GERD or H.pylori infection you need to address the underlying digestive disorder. This includes a full dental check-up to assess bleeding gums, gum disease and the state of your oral microbiome.
If you suffer from any of the symptoms listed above, it is time to consult with your doctor or dentist.
Have you experienced GERD symptoms and bleeding gums? Leave your experiences in the comment section below.
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20 Responses
Dr. Lin,
If H.pylori infection is present in the mouth what is the treatment protocol?
Thank you!
Hi Susan, if there is periodontal pocketing it may allow populations of H.pylori to remain in the oral environment and re-establish infection in the gut. Periodontal treatment such as root debridement may help to remove these infections so concurrent oral diagnosis is important.
I had a deep cleaning done this month before I got diagnosed with h pylori will that kill the infection in my mouth? I am on treatment for h pylori now I have been taking the meds for 3 days now, I have acid reflex really bad and its still coming up from my stomach. My mouth has a film in it and my lips are chapped really bad on the inside could this be from the infection. Thanks I am just trying to get this cured and back to feeling normal again.
Dr.steve
A few days after I started antibiotic therapy for H pylori infection, I noticed some Tiny bumps on my tongue and felt some irritation In my gums. Should I be worried?
when i was child suffuring me tp desease in the lung so after when i took medication i become ok but bad breath start me until now i met different doctores but i didnt get solution i preparing to cut my live becouse the people despaise me if you give me same advise to feel happy thank you
Did someone reach out to you?
You are in my prayers and thoughts!!
Always remember to LOVE yourself first!
If we don’t love ourselves then we can’t expect anyone else to love us. You are not alone.
Have a BLESSED NIGHT
The GERD and the H pylori are the most common diseases that can later on lead to chronic gastritis. The patients who suffer from these types of diseases carries the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. It can also infect your other body parts such as the mouth. In your blog, you have clearly described the symptoms of GERD and H pylori diseases and how it could affect the oral microbiome of your body. Really, it definitely helps for the readers to aware about the symptoms attached with the diseases and take necessary steps before it damage their body. It can also leads to other diseases like gastric ulcers, lymphoma, gastric cancer and gastric macosa etc.
Why do people tell me they don’t smell anything., coming from my dentist & md doctor, & when I ride the bus, I see people rub there noises or move away, this is when I breath through my nose as I think it in my mind., I don’t smell anything even on my tung hand check rub … !
Hi Vusean,
Check Digestive Sources:
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
I began suffering acid reflux after an upper respiratory infection or flu. At the same time I began experiencing very dry, peeling lips and now very red, irritated lips with a painful burning sensation. Is the lip issue related to the reflux? The ENT doctor wants me to have an endoscopy which scares me.
Dr Lin,
I have had this mysterious illness for the last two years. I am beginning to wonder if its the three bad teeth I need pulled causing all of this. Last night my headache was so bad in the back of my head, so I rubbed the upper jaw gum which oddly seemed to relieve it. But then it was like something drained down behind my nose , eyes, into the forehead, down the throat and into the chest. before I knew it felt like something completely blocked and had no blood flow to my head, my face drooped right and I could not speak. I felt like i lost complete blood flow or fluid flow or something was blocked. Today I am still dizzy and have pain head, throat, hard to swallow, pain also down the neck shoulders but afraid another trip to the ER will leave me hopeless. I am beginning to wonder if these teeth are my centralized issues and even effecting my GI and muscles?
Very nice of work done by you, as these blogs will not only help many patients to understand the utility of a dentist in modern society, also at the same work will work as an eye opener. You have shared very informative blog with us.
Smile makeover Orange
Dr.Lin,
Thank you for informative article.
What to do with recession of gums that started after Helicobacter pylori ,it started to change situation with gums every day.I worry and want to know how to stop the process,what urgent actions should be taken and this process be spread to all gums and teeth?
And what about recent studies showing that pepsin is the cause of GERD especially LPR?
I’ve been to dentists already and they told me that they smell nothing. Said there’s no decaying teeth that might cause bad breath. But family members said my breath stinks like feces and cover their noses even when I am not talking. I often experience a hard time swallowing. Is it really possible that they can smell my breath without me even talking? What should I do? Any help would really be appreciated.
Hi Judy Ann,
I would check for:
1) Vitamin d status.
2) IgG food intolerances
3) H.pylori infection.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/gerd-symptoms-h-pylori-begin-oral-microbiome/
Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). You can get breath tests that specifically test the gut. https://www.drstevenlin.com/gut-breath-the-digestive-system-and-bad-breath-causes/
Here are some testing options for bad breath too. I’d suggest getting more information on your condition.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-steps-to-cure-bad-breath-and-professional-testing-options/
Probiotics may also assist.
https://www.drstevenlin.com/can-oral-probiotics-cure-bad-breath/
Hope this helps!
Chelsea
Community Manager
http://www.drstevenlin.com
You done a great job about this category, I got the best and useful information and suggestions from this category. You made a good site and it’s very interesting one. Thanks for sharing the best information. Regards.
This is an amazing article about the symptoms of GERD and how our oral health will become the reason of this symptom. We should never ignore our oral health and should give proper time in order to stay healthy
Hi,
I have been diagnosed with Gerd, then tests show I have swallowing problems! I have constant nasty sour tasting excessive saliva in my mouth, I clean my teeth after everything I eat but can’t get rid of this nasty liquid. I chew on sugar free gum constantly but it still comes back! It’s ruining my life and any help would be greatly appreciated thank you!
I’m so happy to have found your website! I have a crown with (just found out ) a crack in it with infection hiding beneath. Been having horrible gerd symptoms, w lots of burping for about 2 weeks.
Just got a h.pylori diagnosis but didn’t put those 2 together!
Super happy now! Going to get that infected tooth out and taking amox,claryth, omiparizole, for 2 weeks. I’m confident this will be cured . Kefir, brie cheese and green tea are helping meanwhile.
Thank you all!!!