Best Dental Clinic Brampton | Adverse Effects Of Bulimia on Teeth

Adverse effects of Bulimia on Teeth

Bulimia is an eating disorder that’s more prevalent in developed nations. According to a 2002 survey,1.5% women and 0.5% men in Canada are suffering from Bulimia Nervosa.

A BN patient exhibits peculiar symptoms. There are episodes of binge eating followed by purging or crash dieting to counteract the excessive calories. It can be said that it’s a lifestyle disorder where one adopts unhealthy eating patterns in order to fit the stereotypes popularised and idolised by media. Excess food is forced out of body through induced vomiting and by the use of laxatives.

While BN takes a toll on nervous system, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, and circulatory system, it causes havoc on teeth as well. Effects of BN on teeth were studied and results were published in Acta Odonatological Scandinavia in 2009.

Sandalwood Smiles, best dental clinic in Brampton, brings to you excerpts from that study to educate masses about adverse effects that bulimia has on teeth.

Common dental problems that arise due to Bulimia

When a person regurgitates and performs self-induced vomiting repeatedly, teeth are subjected to a lot of damaging factors. The hydrochloric acid in the stomach causes enamel erosion over time. The pH of mouth becomes acidic that leads to further damage to the enamel. It causes cavities tooth decay and a plethora of other problems.

Common dental problems manifested by Bulimia Nervosa include

·         Sensitive teeth

·         Dental caries

·         Extensive enamel erosion

·         Dry mouth

·         Sore throat

·         Bleeding gums

·         Damage to soft palate

·         Damage to TMJ

·         Brittle teeth

·         Difficulty in mastication

·         Hoarse voice

·         Esophageal damage

How to spot the red flags for bulimia

Usually, a dentist is able to screen a patient with bulimia while internal oral examination. If a patient exhibits the above mentioned signs that are indicative of increased acid content in oral cavity and esophagus, that’s indicative of a possibility of bulimia.

Look for these signs during an oral examination. Mostly, there is massive erosion on the inner surface of teeth which is a tell-tale sign in majority of cases.

How to prevent this problem

If you do encounter such a patient, it’s important to check if they’re getting necessary psychiatric assistance. This is a dangerous problem. Educate your patients about the importance of healthy eating habits.

All this stems out from the negative body image that engulfs young and old equally. Chase for a perfect body is like a mirage. There’s no point torturing oneself in the quest to achieve that perfect, statistically correct bod. Don’t fall for stereotypes. Be yourself at your best.