Is Burping Safe, or Can Normal Burping Damage Teeth?

Posted by leyla @leyla, Jun 30, 2021

I live with a family member who is afraid to burp because a dental hygienist told her that all burps are dangerous to teeth: they can always contain stomach acid, mucus, and/or bacteria and therefore damage teeth. This hygienist seems to have abused her over a long period of time and gotten into her head somehow. My family member keeps saying that she needs a person with a DDS degree to counteract or overcome what the hygienist said and did. I joined a dental site a couple of weeks ago, but no one will answer the question. I joined this website because it allows discussion, and I believe that I may need to discuss this issue with other people and maybe figure out what is going on. I am starting to get very concerned because my family member stopped eating several foods because the hygienist told her to, and instead she has started to brush her teeth and uses rinses and Listerine several hours a day, again because the hygienist convinced her that she needs to in order to protect her teeth from harm. She keeps saying she is afraid of vomiting and the hygienist convinced her that burping and vomiting are always exactly the same thing. How do I begin to handle this issue?

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Jun 30, 2021

Burping is a normal body function. I'd say a very acidic diet along with soda will damage the teeth more than burping. Get a new hygienist.

rozy288 | @rozy288 | Jul 1, 2021

I worked for a Dentist 🦷 7 years . Excessive vomiting or if someone is Bulimic and throws up all the time can damage your tooth enamel. Burping no .. I have chronic Gastritis and many other digestive disorders 7 years and I belch big over 2000 x a day / night . My teeth are perfectly fine ( and I just brush them 2 x a day ) and get them cleaned 2 x year . Def get a new Hygienist!!

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 1, 2021

Hello @leyla, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I also think burping is pretty normal once in awhile thing. I think it could be an issue when it's excessive burping. Here's some research information I found on the topic using Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/).

"Eructation (burping) where moist 'acidic air' enters the oral cavity also will have an effect. Though the palatal surfaces of the maxillary teeth are generally involved, other surfaces certainly can be affected depending whether the mouth is opened or closed during the burping action"
-- Oral diagnosis and treatment planning: part 4. Non-carious tooth surface loss and assessment of risk: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2012.722

I'm not sure if this is helpful but it may be something to consider.
-- Do I Have OCD? Tips for Recognizing Symptoms and Seeking Treatment: https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/do-i-have-ocd-tips-for-recognizing-symptoms-and-seeking-treatment/

Do you think your family member may be affected by an obsessive compulsive disorder?