Oral Health›Health conditions and your mouth

Acid Reflux, Vomiting and Your Teeth

Stomach acid is strong enough to wear away tooth enamel. Here is how reflux and repeated vomiting affect teeth, how to protect them, and why it helps to tell your doctor and dentist.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·8 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Stomach acid is very strong. When reflux or vomiting brings it into your mouth often, it can wear away tooth enamel. This is called dental erosion.
  • Reflux can happen without you noticing, and the damage tends to show on the inside surfaces of the teeth.
  • After vomiting, rinse with water (or milk, or a fluoride or non-acidic mouthwash) and do not brush straight away. Sources suggest waiting between 30 and 60 minutes.
  • It is very important to deal with the cause, so see a GP or doctor about reflux or repeated vomiting.
  • Tell your dentist. They can protect and repair your teeth, and if vomiting is linked to an eating disorder, they will not judge you and can help you find support.

Acid from your own stomach can wear teeth away. The Better Health Channel (Victoria) says stomach acids are very strong and can cause substantial damage to the teeth.

How can stomach acid damage teeth?

Acid softens and wears away enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth. healthdirect Australia calls this dental erosion, says it is different from tooth decay (which is caused by bacteria), and says enamel cannot grow back once it has gone. For more on erosion, see sugar, acid and your teeth and tooth wear.

The American Dental Association (ADA) explains that erosion from stomach acid happens when acid reaches the mouth more than saliva can cope with, usually several times a week over a long period. It names acid reflux and repeated vomiting, such as from bulimia, alcohol dependence or severe sickness in pregnancy, as ways stomach acid reaches the teeth.

healthdirect and the Australian Dental Association say the inside surfaces of the teeth are more likely to be affected when the acid comes from the stomach. The ADA says reflux during sleep is especially damaging, because you make less saliva and swallow less, and lying down can leave the lower back teeth bathed in acid.

What is acid reflux (GORD)?

The NHS describes acid reflux as stomach acid travelling up towards the throat, often causing heartburn, a burning feeling in the middle of the chest, and an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth. If it keeps happening it may be called gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), known as GERD in the US. healthdirect says GORD is when reflux happens more than twice a week.

NIDDK (the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) lists wearing away of tooth enamel among the complications of GERD. NHS inform (Scotland) and healthdirect list tooth decay among the symptoms of GORD, and NHS inform also lists gum disease and bad breath.

Reflux does not always cause obvious heartburn. The Better Health Channel says reflux can sometimes occur without you knowing, and NIDDK notes that not all adults with GERD have heartburn or regurgitation. The Australian Dental Association says your dentist will be able to tell you if your teeth are worn because of acid erosion.

Repeated vomiting and eating disorders

The Australian Dental Association says that when vomiting happens often, the stomach acid that covers the teeth can wear them away. In pregnancy, the ADA says erosion is rare but has been reported with severe, long-lasting sickness; see pregnancy and oral health.

Some people vomit as part of an eating disorder such as bulimia. The ADA and the Oral Health Foundation say dental teams are often among the first to notice the signs. The NHS describes bulimia as a serious mental health condition that you can recover from, and lists damage to tooth enamel from being sick a lot among its possible complications.

If this applies to you, help is available. The Australian Dental Association says a dentist is part of your health care team and is there to support you. The Oral Health Foundation says your dental team will not judge you and that the more open you can be, the better they can help.

What are the signs of acid damage to teeth?

healthdirect, the Better Health Channel, the Australian Dental Association and the ADA's consumer site MouthHealthy list:

  • sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks
  • teeth that look yellower, darker or more see-through as enamel thins
  • a smooth, shiny look to the tooth surface
  • teeth that look shorter, or have thin edges that chip easily
  • fillings that stand up above the tooth surface around them

How can you protect your teeth?

Alongside getting reflux or vomiting treated (see below), health bodies advise the following.

Straight after vomiting or acid in your mouth

  • Rinse. The NHS says to rinse with water or a non-acidic mouthwash after vomiting, and NICE (the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) advises people with an eating disorder who are vomiting to rinse with a non-acid mouthwash. healthdirect suggests water or milk. The Better Health Channel and the ADA also mention a baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) rinse: one teaspoon in a glass of water, the Better Health Channel says.
  • Use fluoride. healthdirect, the Better Health Channel and the Australian Dental Association suggest a fluoride mouthwash.
  • Do not brush straight away. Acid softens the tooth surface, and the Australian Dental Association says brushing too soon can wear it away.

How long to wait before brushing differs between sources:

  • healthdirect Australia and the Better Health Channel's dental erosion page: at least 30 minutes.
  • Australian Dental Association: at least 60 minutes.
  • NICE (UK) and the ADA's MouthHealthy site say not to brush immediately after vomiting, without giving a time.

Every day

  • Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush (Australian Dental Association, healthdirect). Your dentist may suggest a higher-fluoride toothpaste, according to the Australian Dental Association and the Oral Health Foundation.
  • Stay hydrated with water; the Australian Dental Association prefers tap water because it contains fluoride. A dry mouth makes erosion worse (healthdirect).
  • Cut down on acidic food and drinks. NICE advises people who vomit to avoid highly acidic foods and drinks, and the NHS gives fruit juice as an example to avoid after vomiting.
  • Chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva and dilute acid (healthdirect).

Getting reflux treated

The Better Health Channel says it is very important to find the cause of erosion and change it. healthdirect says that if gastric reflux is causing dental erosion, you should discuss treatment options with your doctor, and the Better Health Channel advises seeking medical treatment for reflux or vomiting.

The NHS suggests these self-help steps for heartburn and reflux: eat smaller, more frequent meals; avoid food and drink that trigger your symptoms; do not eat within 3 or 4 hours before bed; lose weight if you are overweight; do not smoke; and raise the head of your bed by around 10 to 20cm (not with extra pillows). A pharmacist can suggest medicines, which the NHS says help in the short term but will not cure the problem.

The NHS says to see a GP if pharmacy medicines and lifestyle changes are not helping, you have heartburn most days, or you also have food getting stuck, frequent vomiting or weight loss you cannot explain. A GP can offer stronger treatments and help rule out more serious causes.

Telling your dentist

Let your dentist know if you have reflux or vomit often. The Australian Dental Association says your dentist can help you limit and repair the damage, that some worn teeth may need a specialist, and that for eating disorders your dentist can help you link in with a GP for assessment and support. See dental check-ups.

Support for eating disorders
  • UK: the NHS says you can talk in confidence to the eating disorders charity Beat on 0808 801 0677, and advises seeing a GP.
  • Australia: the Australian Dental Association lists the Butterfly Foundation helpline, 1800 33 4673, and says your GP is a good first contact.
  • US: the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide.
When to see a dentist
  • Your teeth have become sensitive, look yellower, shorter or more see-through, or have edges that chip.
  • You have reflux or heartburn, or vomit often, and have not had a dental check-up recently.
  • You have an eating disorder, or are worried you might, and want help protecting your teeth.
  • See a doctor if you vomit blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, have black or red poo, have trouble swallowing, or keep vomiting (NIDDK, healthdirect).
Get help urgently
  • Chest pain can be a heart attack, even if it feels like indigestion. The NHS says call 999 if chest pain feels tight or squeezing, or spreads to your arms, neck or jaw. In Australia, healthdirect says call triple zero (000) if you are unsure whether it is heartburn or a heart attack.
  • If you are in a mental health crisis, the NHS says to call 111 and choose the mental health option, or call 999 or go to A&E if a life is at risk.

Frequently asked questions

Should I brush my teeth after being sick?

Not straight away. Rinse first. Sources differ on how long to wait: at least 30 minutes (healthdirect) or at least 60 minutes (Australian Dental Association).

Can damaged teeth be repaired?

Lost enamel cannot grow back, but healthdirect says a dental practitioner may apply fluoride varnish to strengthen the remaining enamel, and that treatments to repair tooth structure include fillings, veneers and crowns. See tooth wear and crowns and veneers.

Will my dentist tell anyone about my eating disorder?

The Australian Dental Association says discussions with your dentist are private and will remain confidential.

Sources

  1. Heartburn and acid reflux, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Bulimia, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Eating disorders: overview, NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. Where to get urgent help for mental health, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Heart attack, NHS, accessed September 2026
  6. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), NHS inform (Scotland), accessed September 2026
  7. Eating disorders: recognition and treatment (NG69), recommendations, NICE, accessed September 2026
  8. Dental erosion, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  9. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  10. Dental erosion, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  11. Tooth erosion, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  12. Eating disorders and disordered eating, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  13. Dental erosion, American Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  14. Eating disorders, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  15. Acid reflux (GER and GERD) in adults: definition and facts, NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, accessed September 2026
  16. Symptoms and causes of GER and GERD, NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, accessed September 2026
  17. Eating disorders, NIH National Institute of Mental Health, accessed September 2026
  18. How eating disorders can affect your mouth, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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