Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can have devastating effects on your health, including your teeth.
Anorexia is marked by an extreme restriction on how much is eaten, while bulimia is associated with binging and purging, or vomiting after eating. The effects on teeth and oral hygiene are:
- Tooth erosion
Caused by stomach acid in vomit and by lack of nutrition, many people who suffer from eating disorders suffer from tooth erosion. Teeth that have eroded might chip easily, appear translucent, and become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If enamel has been lost, some restoration techniques include veneers and crowns.
- Tooth decay
Eating disorders often cause nutritional deficiencies, including calcium. If your body needs calcium and doesn’t have it, it will draw calcium from bones and teeth, possibly leading to tooth decay.
- Increased risk of infection in the gums
Other nutritional deficiencies caused by eating disorders are a lack of vitamin D and iron, which are necessary to fight infection. Without proper nutrients, there is an increased risk of gum disease.
- Dry mouth
Highly restrictive eating and frequent vomiting can cause the salivary glands to swell and decrease production. Saliva neutralizes the acid in your mouth and without it, there is an increased risk for tooth decay and infections in the mouth.
Help and support is necessary for recovery, so if you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please let your healthcare provider know.
Oral Health
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Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can have devastating effects on your health, including your teeth.
Anorexia is marked by an extreme restriction on how much is eaten, while bulimia is associated with binging and purging, or vomiting after eating. The effects on teeth and oral hygiene are:
- Tooth erosion
Caused by stomach acid in vomit and by lack of nutrition, many people who suffer from eating disorders suffer from tooth erosion. Teeth that have eroded might chip easily, appear translucent, and become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If enamel has been lost, some restoration techniques include veneers and crowns.
- Tooth decay
Eating disorders often cause nutritional deficiencies, including calcium. If your body needs calcium and doesn’t have it, it will draw calcium from bones and teeth, possibly leading to tooth decay.
- Increased risk of infection in the gums
Other nutritional deficiencies caused by eating disorders are a lack of vitamin D and iron, which are necessary to fight infection. Without proper nutrients, there is an increased risk of gum disease.
- Dry mouth
Highly restrictive eating and frequent vomiting can cause the salivary glands to swell and decrease production. Saliva neutralizes the acid in your mouth and without it, there is an increased risk for tooth decay and infections in the mouth.
Help and support is necessary for recovery, so if you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please let your healthcare provider know.
Oral Health
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Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can have devastating effects on your health, including your teeth.
Anorexia is marked by an extreme restriction on how much is eaten, while bulimia is associated with binging and purging, or vomiting after eating. The effects on teeth and oral hygiene are:
- Tooth erosion
Caused by stomach acid in vomit and by lack of nutrition, many people who suffer from eating disorders suffer from tooth erosion. Teeth that have eroded might chip easily, appear translucent, and become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. If enamel has been lost, some restoration techniques include veneers and crowns.
- Tooth decay
Eating disorders often cause nutritional deficiencies, including calcium. If your body needs calcium and doesn’t have it, it will draw calcium from bones and teeth, possibly leading to tooth decay.
- Increased risk of infection in the gums
Other nutritional deficiencies caused by eating disorders are a lack of vitamin D and iron, which are necessary to fight infection. Without proper nutrients, there is an increased risk of gum disease.
- Dry mouth
Highly restrictive eating and frequent vomiting can cause the salivary glands to swell and decrease production. Saliva neutralizes the acid in your mouth and without it, there is an increased risk for tooth decay and infections in the mouth.
Help and support is necessary for recovery, so if you or a loved one is struggling with an eating disorder, please let your healthcare provider know.
Oral Health
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Our bodies keep our bones strong by absorbing old bone cells and replacing them with newer and stronger bone material. Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when we absorb more bone than we replace, resulting in weakened bones. Osteoporosis can affect any part of the body, including the jawbone, and […]
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If you experience high blood pressure, it’s vital that you discuss possible medications with your health care professionals, including your dentist. Some blood pressure medications cause the usual variety of side effects, such as drowsiness, upset stomach, or minor aches. But for some patients, particular blood pressure medications may produce […]