Despite their life-threatening consequences, millions of people in the United States are affected by eating disorders, with the pressure to have the “ideal” figure being credited as the main contributing factor. Approximately 1 percent of adolescent girls and 2-3 percent of young women develop these destructive patterns of behavior to control their weight. While the prevalence of eating disorders is higher in athletes than in the general public, they can occur in men and older women, though with much less frequency. Often, affected people refuse to acknowledge their problem and refuse treatment.
Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that involves secret, repeated binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting. Anorexia Nervosa is another eating disorder triggered by an intense fear of weight gain, though this kind is marked by a self-induced starvation.
Each of these disorders deprives the body from vital minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients necessary for good health. There are a wide array of physical symptoms and medical complications that result from eating disorders, including heart failure, gastric or esophagus ruptures, osteoporosis, heart arrhythmia, shrinking of the brain, yellowish and dry skin, swollen joints, reduced muscle mass, hair loss, and psychological illnesses such as depression.
Dentists are frequently the first health professionals to observe signs and symptoms of eating disorders, as changes in the mouth are often the first physical signs of an eating disorder. The repeated vomiting and nutritional deficiencies caused by eating disorders have rigorous and harsh consequences on one’s oral health. A dentist can observe the damaging effects on the surfaces of the teeth of patients with eating disorders.
The biggest oral complication caused by the frequent vomiting is the erosion of teeth enamel, which occurs in 89 percent of bulimic patients. In anorexic patients, teeth become brittle, translucent and weak. Widespread cavities, increased sensitivity to temperature, sharp pain, sore throat, oral sores with ulcerations, enlarged salivary glands, dry mouth, cracked lips, and changes in the color, shape and length of teeth are all other oral complications that develop because of an eating disorder.
The consequences of eating disorders on the teeth and mouth are very real. It is most imperative for people to seek professional help, and let their dentist know about their eating disorder to ensure proper treatments and preventative measures are taken.
Brushing your teeth immediately after vomiting with harsh toothpastes causes more damage as it accelerates the erosion of the surface of enamel. Rinsing the mouth thoroughly with milk or water and waiting several hours before drinking or eating anything acidic or before brushing your teeth is advisable. This will enable the saliva to have a neutralizing effect on the stomach acid, which has affected enamel after vomiting. In-office fluoride treatments and the using of fluoride mouthwashes are other treatments that can be prescribed and dispensed by your dentist to prevent further erosion and decrease teeth sensitivity. Chewing sugar free chewing gum after meals can help to stimulate saliva production and reverse the effects of a dry mouth. Many studies support the hypothesis that the consumption of cheese or milk reduces the effects of acid on enamel. Meticulous home care, thorough brushing, flossing, and possible at-home fluoride treatments are necessary.
While there may be ways to care for your teeth when dealing with an eating disorder, it is more important to take care of the actual disorder itself. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, please visit http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/.
Dr. Nushin Shir
Expert Dentist, Dr. Nushin Shir, a UCLA School of Dentistry graduate, is highly trained in complex and cosmetic dental procedures and was recently included in the 2010 edition of Guide to America’s Top Dentists. The Artistic Center for Dentistry offers all aspects dental care. For more information please contact www.theartisticdentistry.com.
