Dental erosions due to gastric reflux are an adverse intraoral effect associated with which medications?

• A. Progesterone, nitrates, beta & calcium channel blockers
• B. Steroids
• C. Caries
• D. Osteonecrosis

Answer: (A)

Gastric reflux–related dental erosion happens when stomach acid reaches the mouth and demineralizes tooth enamel. Some medications can promote reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter or altering GI motility, increasing the chance that acid contacts teeth. Progesterone loosens smooth muscle and can relax the esophageal sphincter, nitrates also relax smooth muscle including the LES, and certain beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers can contribute to reflux risk. Because this reflux exposes teeth to acid, it leads to erosion, especially on the accessible surfaces like the palatal sides of upper front teeth.

Steroids aren’t typically linked to erosion through reflux, caries is decay from bacterial processes, and osteonecrosis relates to bone death from other medications (like bisphosphonates), not acid erosion from reflux.