Victims of personal injury can suffer from dental disease as a result of treatment of orthopedic injuries. Many of these diseases cannot be treated with standard home hygiene, and require professional dental treatment. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of these conditions and can create dental problems for people even when they have good oral health habits.
GERD is a chronic digestive disease which occurs when stomach acid comes up from the stomach and enters the esophagus on a regular basis. This is caused by the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, which normally closes the top of the stomach. In some cases, when this circular band of muscle is weakened and stomach acid travels high enough, it can erode tooth enamel as well as cause damage to the palate, the tongue and the esophagus itself.
Many people who suffer from GERD are embarrassed by their dental situation and assume that their poor oral health is their own fault, but this is not the case. GERD can occur due to pressure on the abdomen from being overweight or pregnant, and can also be caused by certain medicines. Some medications that can cause GERD include treatments for asthma, high blood pressure and allergy symptoms as well as painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants. When GERD is caused by a medication used for a personal injury, the treatment of the disease may be included in your case settlement.
Even with the best oral hygiene routines, stomach acid can come in contact with the teeth and cause dental erosion. Dental professionals can help to identify GERD and suggest treatments or replace damaged teeth when necessary. While these treatments are very important, they can also be expensive. This is why it is critical to talk to an experienced attorney and determine whether medications used in treatments of orthopedic injuries could have caused GERD, and to assess which medical expenses could be covered by the law firm until the case is settled.
This disease can be very serious. If left untreated, GERD can lead to esophageal damage including scarring and can cause asthma. The risk of esophageal cancer may also be increased as a result of leaving this disease untreated. You should see a doctor right away if you are vomiting frequently, have problems breathing after vomiting, have trouble swallowing or have pain in your mouth or throat while eating.
If you believe that you are suffering from dental disease as a result of the pain medication used to treat a personal injury, contact the experienced Irvine personal injury attorneys of Hodes Milman online at verdictvictory.com or call (949) 640-8222 for a free consultation.
