The frequent vomiting and nutritional deficiencies that often accompany eating disorders can have severe consequences on one’s oral health. Studies have found that up to 89% of bulimic patients show signs of tooth erosion.
Did You Know?
It is often the pain and discomfort related to dental complications that first causes patients to consult with a health professional. Dental hygienists and dentists are often the first health professionals to observe signs and symptoms of disordered eating habits.
However, recent studies cite two deterrents to dental practitioners addressing eating concerns with their patients:
Lack of knowledge of the scope and severity of eating disorders, and
Lack of comfort in discussing their concerns or suspicions.
In spite of these deterrents, the role of dental practitioners in early detection, identification, and intervention is crucial. This information is being provided to enable dental practitioners to recognize the effects of eating disorders and talk with their patients about these concerns.
Signs and Symptoms
Loss of tissue and erosive lesions on the surface of teeth due to the effects of acid. These lesions can appear as early as 6 months from the start of the problem.
Changes in the color, shape, and length of teeth. Teeth can become brittle, translucent, and weak.
Increased sensitivity to temperature. In extreme cases the pulp can be exposed and cause infection, discoloration, or even pulp death.
Enlargement of the salivary glands, dry mouth, and reddened, dry, cracked lips.
Tooth decay, which can actually be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting.
Unprovoked, spontaneous pain within a particular tooth.
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The frequent vomiting and nutritional deficiencies
that often accompany eating disorders can have severe consequences on one’s
oral health. Studies have found that up to 89% of bulimic patients show signs
of tooth erosion.
related to dental complications that first causes patients to consult with a
health professional. Dental hygienists and dentists are often the first health
professionals to observe signs and symptoms of disordered eating habits.
deterrents to dental practitioners addressing eating concerns with their
patients:
of the scope and severity of eating disorders, and
of comfort in discussing their concerns or suspicions.
detection, identification, and intervention is crucial. This information is
being provided to enable dental practitioners to recognize the effects of
eating disorders and talk with their patients about these concerns.
Signs and Symptoms
erosive lesions on the surface of teeth due to the effects of acid. These
lesions can appear as early as 6 months from the start of the problem.
color, shape, and length of teeth. Teeth can become brittle, translucent,
and weak.
sensitivity to temperature. In extreme cases the pulp can be exposed and
cause infection, discoloration, or even pulp death.
salivary glands, dry mouth, and reddened, dry, cracked lips.
can actually be aggravated by extensive tooth brushing or rinsing
following vomiting.
spontaneous pain within a particular tooth.
http://www.NationalEatingDisorder.org for more information.
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