Looking for a cure for your heartburn? No doubt heartburn is a problem caused by acid re-flux from the stomach back into the esophagus. As there are sensitive cells along the lining of your esophagus, you may feel the discomfort and burning sensation whenever heartburn occurs. It is even worse if the reflux happens everyday.
Over time, the constant burning feeling of your upper chest could gradually alter the cells structure of your esophagus and this could possibly lead to more serious problems to come if left untreated, in some severe cases even esophagus cancer.
This happens when the occasional acid reflux causes the cells lining structure of the lower esophagus to alter itself and become more and more similar to the cells structure of the stomach lining so as to be able to withstand the acidity that it is constantly exposed to. So, are there cures for heartburn?
A More Natural Cure For Heartburn
If you need a cure for heartburn without medicine, first try on chewing some gums the next time a heartburn occurs. By chewing a gum right after a meal, relief can be brought especially if you are one of those who are suffering from occasional heartburn. It is one of the simplest and yet effective heartburn remedies that you can try any time. As chewing gum stimulates your saliva glands to produce more saliva which is a little alkaline in nature, it helps neutralize some of the acids from the stomach during reflux. Although a fairly large amount of saliva is needed to fully neutralize the entire acidity of a reflux, the process of constant swallowing of saliva stimulated by chewing gum also helps in preventing or at least minimizing the frequent occurrence of a reflux.
Chewing Gum Protects Your Teeth Too
Besides acid reflux, chewing gum especially a sugar-free one helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals too. This is particularly true when brushing your teeth isn’t an available option after a meal. Your teeth are more prone to acid attack after you have eaten a meal. The acid is produced by plaque bacteria from the sugars obtained from the foods that you eat during meal and this acid works slowly to dissolve away the enamel of your tooth causing tooth decay in the long run. This acid attack can be reduced by chewing a sugar-free gum right after meal. Like how it works for reducing heartburn, the production of more saliva – your mouth’s natural defense against acid, helps neutralize these acid thereby preventing or at least slows down the process of tooth decay.
Chewing gum offers you combo benefits as it not only reduces the occurrence of heartburn while at the same time also help minimize tooth decay.
Making It Even Better
While chewing gums are also effective cures for heartburn during pregnancy, this simple enough remedy works even better when you reduce your intake of spicy foods as well as cutting down your caffeine intake since these foods have been known to cause irritation to your esophagus lining. Some foods such as garlic and onion are especially hot and could make the problem even worse.
For a better idea of what foods you should avoid, read more tips to get rid of heartburn here.
Leave a Reply