Deleterious effects of GERD on oral tissues Srivastava R et al; 110 www.journaloforalsign.com Journal of Oral Sign 2013, Vol 5, No 3 (September-December) REVIEW ARTICLE Deleterious Effects of GERD with Emphasis on Oral Tissues Rahul Srivastava 1 , Bhuvan Jyoti 2 , Sartar S. Wazir 3 , Nishant Singh 1 , Manish Gupta 1 , Ashutosh Shukla 1 Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology 1 Rama Dental College, Kanpur, 2 Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, India 3 M.B. Kedia Dental College and Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal (Received June 9, 2013 and Accepted Sept 2, 2013) ABSTRACT Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and chronic gastrointestinal disorder with a significant negative impact on health-related quality of life. Gastroesophageal refers to the stomach and oesophagus. Reflux means to flow back or return. Therefore, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach's contents back up into the oesophagus and mouth. Our mouth is the mirror that can reflect the overall health of our body. It has long been believed that the mouth is an easily accessible window of the body perhaps because the health status of our mouth can give us a strong indication of the health of our body. This article highlights the potential effects of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) on the general and oro-dental health. Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, oro-dental health To Cite this article: Srivastava R, Jyoti B, Wazir SS, Singh N, Gupta M, Shukla A. Deleterious Effects of GERD with Emphasis on Oral Tissues. J Oral Sign 2013; 5(3): 110-115 Gastroesophageal reflux is defined as the involuntary regurgitation of gastric content into the oesophagus. It is a normal physiological process and it is only when it produces symptoms or pathological consequences it is considered a disease (GERD). 1 In Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux the oesophagus becomes irritated or inflamed because of hydrochloric acid backing up from the stomach. The oesophagus lies just behind the heart, so the term ―heartburn‖ was coined to describe the sensation of burning chest pain perceived during episodes of GERD. The term heartburn is used interchangeably with that of GERD. 2 Normally, the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), the anatomic location of the gastroesophageal junction, and the crural diaphragm prevent the movement of fluid or solid matter from the stomach into the oesophagus. 3 Some degree of gastroesophageal reflux occurs in most individuals. GERD is thought to develop when a combination of conditions occurs to increase the presence of refluxed acid in the oesophagus to pathologic levels. 4 Pathologic reflux is thought to occur when the injurious properties of refluxed gastric acid, bile, pepsin, and duodenal contents overwhelm normal oesophageal protective antireflux barriers, such as oesophageal acid clearance and mucosal resistance. The primary underlying mechanism causing pathologic reflux appears to be a defective lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), which increases the volume of acidic gastric contents that refluxes into the oesophagus. This increase in acid volume tips the balance toward pathologic reflux by overwhelming the normal capacity of the oesophageal mucosa to tolerate acid. 5 Among the