subject: Eating Disorders Negatively Affect Your Quality Of Life And Dental Health [print this page] It has long been known that eating disorders has a serious, negative affect on a person's quality of life. Self-image, relationships with families and friends, as well as performance in school or on the job can be damaged. It is important that if you, or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder, seek professional help immediately. It is often the pain and discomfort related to dental complications that first causes people to consult a health professional with dentists often the first health professionals to observe signs and symptoms of eating disorders.
Eating Disorders have Oral Health Consequences
Frequent vomiting and severe nutritional deficiencies associated with eating disorders have severe consequences for your teeth and oral health. Because the digestive system releases such powerful acids that break down food, self-induced vomiting allows these acids to come in contact with, attack and wear-away tooth enamel during regurgitation. Additionally, frequent vomiting may alter the color, length and shape of your teeth.
People with eating disorders may experience tenderness of the mouth and throat, noticing swollen salivary glands. These swollen glands may result in widening of the jaw and a square-like shape. Those who suffer from anorexia may experience weakening of the jawbone as a result of osteoporosis, which also weakens teeth and leads to tooth loss.
Signs and Symptoms Someone You Know May Have an Eating Disorder
When visiting your dentist it is nearly impossible to hide the damage caused by an eating disorder. Dentists can identify the various signs of eating disorders through your oral health. Your dentist will tell you what they have noticed in terms of enamel erosion and will encourage you to seek further treatment.
Some common signs of an eating disorder may include:
*Bad Breath
*Tender mouth, throat and salivary glands
*Eroded tooth enamel
*Teeth that are worn and appear almost translucent
*Mouth sores
*Dry mouth
*Cracked lips
*Bleeding gums
*Sensitive teeth
Recovering from your Disorder and Restoring your Oral Health
Restoring your oral health after recovering from an eating disorder is vital to your self-esteem and general health. If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, it is imperative that you seek professional help. Treatment to restore your smile may involve crowns, veneers, fillings or even full mouth reconstruction, in conjunction with therapy and support groups.
A key element in recovering is education. Dental treatments can and should begin during the recovery process to protect your teeth. If diagnosed and treated at an early stage, enamel loss may be replaced and in some cases more extensive dental treatments may be required, depending on the extent of the damage of your teeth.
Because changes in the mouth are typically the first physical signs of an eating disorder, your dentist may be the first to recognize the illness. Consult your dentist in Colorado Springs today if an eating disorder has caused a change in your oral health. Your dentist will be able to help restore any damaged teeth you might have.
by: Gen Wright
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