According to the National Eating Disorders Association, over 10 million Americans suffer from some eating disorder, such as bulimia, anorexia, or binge eating. While eating disorders can harm your physical health, you may wonder if they also affect your oral health. The short and simple answer is yes. Dietary habits have a direct effect on your dental health. Talk to a dentist in Drexel Hill, PA, to learn more.
People suffering from eating disorders are often very good at hiding their illnesses, but they cannot hide the dental effects of these eating disorders from their dentists. Dental professionals are some of the first people to notice the red flags of an eating disorder in a person.
What are the types of eating disorders?
The three commonly known types of eating disorders are:
- Anorexia
People suffering from anorexia nervosa restrict their food and drink intake because they fear gaining weight. Many anorexics base their self-worth on caloric intake and punish themselves for overeating.
- Bulimia
Bulimia, like anorexia, is characterized by anxiety about being overweight. However, it also includes secret bouts of overeating, known as binge eating, which can occur several times per week or even several times per day. Individuals who overeat may feel entirely out of control. Individuals who overeat try to “erase” the fact that they ate too much as quickly as they can by forcing themselves to throw up using laxatives or enemas. This is commonly known as “binging and purging.”
- Binge eating
People with binge eating disorder overeat or binge eat, as described above for bulimia. Still, they do not usually try to eliminate the food immediately by vomiting or misusing laxatives or enemas. Guilt may make it simpler for the individual to overeat again.
How do eating disorders affect your oral health?
Eating disorders can cause a lot of dietary deficiencies in the body, which are reflected in the person’s oral health. Potentially harmful effects of vitamin and nutrient deficiencies might lead the body to shut down and fail to operate properly, which will manifest in the mouth. Some revealing oral signs caused by eating disorders are:
- Enamel erosion
- Injury or bruising to the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- Enlarged salivary glands
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or dry lips
- Mouth sores
- Those who vomit to purge can also damage tooth enamel due to prolonged contact with stomach acid.
Seek professional help.
Eating disorders are serious health complications and should be treated as such. If you have any questions about the oral effects of an eating disorder, you should talk to an experienced dentist today.
