Toggle navigation

 39520 Woodward Avenue
Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

248-430-6331

  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Smile Gallery
  • What Patients Are Saying

Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth

Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth

By Julie A Fattore DDS
January 23, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: oral health   eating disorders  
EatingDisordersCanCauseProblemsWiththeTeethandMouth

Sometimes what’s going on in the mouth may point to a deeper issue. Although unpleasant to address, a dental examination could reveal signs of an eating disorder.

There are two disorders in particular that can adversely affect oral health: bulimia nervosa, characterized by food binging followed by purging through self-induced vomiting; and anorexia nervosa, characterized by self-starvation behavior. Occasionally, patients with one disorder may display behavior associated with another disorder.

“Binge-purge” behavior patterns are especially damaging to tooth enamel. When teeth are exposed to high levels of acid, the minerals in tooth enamel soften and erode. This is common with patients who overuse sodas, sports drinks and juices with high levels of citric acid. But bulimic patients also experience it because of stomach acid residue in the mouth after purging.

Patients with eating disorders also encounter other problems in the mouth. The salivary glands may become enlarged, giving the sides of the face a puffy appearance. The throat, palate and back of the tongue may appear red and damaged caused by fingers or other objects used to induce gagging.

There are also some differences between the two disorders in their effect on dental health. Anorexics tend to neglect grooming habits, including daily oral hygiene, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Bulimic patients, on the other hand, are very mindful of body image and practice excellent grooming habits — but to a fault. In fact, aggressive brushing (especially after purging when high acid has caused enamel softening) can actually cause more erosion.

In the short-term, it’s important to treat dental problems caused by eating disorder behaviors, as well as encouraging better hygiene practices like waiting a few minutes to brush after purging or by rinsing with a little baking soda and water to help neutralize the acid. Ultimately, though, the eating disorder itself needs to be addressed and treated. In addition to your personal healthcare providers, the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org) is a good online source for information and referrals.

Although a sensitive issue, an eating disorder can’t be ignored. Because of its effect on all aspects of health, including the teeth and mouth, the sooner it’s addressed, the better the outcome for patients and their families.

If you would like more information on the effect of eating disorders on oral health, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Bulimia, Anorexia & Oral Health.”

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2015
      • May (1)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • April (2)
        • The Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Pain Cycle
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • March (2)
        • Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
        • Nancy O'Dell Helps Put New Moms At Ease About Infant Oral Health
      • February (2)
        • Stabilizing Your New Smile: Answering Your Questions about Orthodontic Retainers
        • Cheryl Cole's See-Through "Braces"
      • January (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • Howard Stern Opens Up - About His Teeth
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Nine Things to Expect During Your Appointment with the Dental Hygienist
        • What Made American Idol Finalist Elliott Yamin Smile?
        • An Implant-Supported Denture Offers a Number of Advantages
      • November (2)
        • Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
        • Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
      • October (2)
        • What Won't Florence Henderson Leave Home Without?
        • How to Clean Your Oral Appliance
      • September (2)
        • 50 Cent Tweets His Dental Exam
        • Bleeding Gums are a Possible Sign of Periodontal Gum Disease
      • August (3)
        • Martha Stewart Shows Off Renovation Work - In Her Mouth!
        • Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
        • TV Wellness Guru Jillian Michaels Discusses Breaking Her Two Front Teeth
      • July (1)
        • Use a Risk Management Approach for Dental Care Success
      • June (1)
        • Actor Ed Helms' Tooth-Yanking Trick: It Was a Dental Implant!
      • May (3)
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Wear
        • Reality Star Kept His Eyes on the Prize: New Teeth!
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath
      • April (2)
        • Braces: A Rite of Passage Even for Hollywood Kids
        • Science and Art: Partners in Crafting a Superior Set of Dentures
      • March (2)
        • Christie Brinkley Shares Her Experience With Dental Implants
        • Underlying Factors for Gum Disease Require Long-Term Treatment Strategy
      • February (1)
        • Flossing: An Important Part of TV Designer Nate Berkus' Oral Health Routine
      • January (2)
        • Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth
        • Catherine Zeta-Jones' Award-Winning Smile
  • 2013
      • December (2)
        • Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
      • November (2)
        • Top 5 Tips for Teething Tots
        • Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
      • October (2)
        • Cosmetic Dental Options - Time For Change
        • Lea Michele's Wise Dental Decision
      • September (2)
        • Warning: Chewing Tobacco IS Hazardous to Your Oral Health
        • Maria Menounos Discusses Diabetes, Diet And Dental Sealants
      • August (2)
        • Bonding: A Good Choice for Repairing Damaged or Chipped Teeth in Youngsters
        • Fixing Adult Teeth Is No Mission Impossible - Just Ask Tom Cruise!
      • July (2)
        • Warning Signs of Gum Disease
        • Did You Know? Matinee Idol James Dean Had False Front Teeth!
      • June (1)
        • Evolutions in Tooth-Colored Fillings
      • May (2)
        • Hilary Duff's Chipped Front Teeth Repaired with Veneers
        • Confusing Tooth Pain
      • April (2)
        • Did You Know? Major League Baseball Players Have New Restrictions on Chewing Tobacco
        • Get a Whiter, Brighter Smile
      • March (1)
        • Olivia Newton-John Recalls Daughter's Teething Troubles
      • February (2)
        • Facts You Should Know About Tooth Wear
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
      • January (2)
        • Do You Need A Smile Makeover?
        • From Model to Mogul, Kathy Ireland Maintains a Sparkling Smile
  • 2012
      • December (2)
        • The Importance of Mouthguards - Do You Know the Facts?
        • How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
      • November (1)
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (29)
  • sports dentistry (1)
  • oral health (12)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • smile makeover (3)
  • cosmetic dentistry (11)
  • nutrition (1)
  • tooth wear (2)
  • pediatric dentistry (3)
  • teething (2)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • tooth colored fillings (1)
  • dental fillings (1)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • gum disease (3)
  • orthodontic treatment (1)
  • braces (4)
  • chipped tooth (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • sealants (1)
  • wisdom teeth (1)
  • crown (2)
  • eating disorders (1)
  • fluoride (1)
  • floss (1)
  • dental implants (5)
  • dentures (2)
  • bad breath (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • dental injury (1)
  • dental hygienist (2)
  • oral hygiene (4)
  • bridge (1)
  • dental exam (1)
  • smoking (1)
  • dental hygiene (1)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • orthodontics (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • tmd (1)
  • tmj (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)

Categories:

  • Oral Health (31)
  • Dental Procedures (26)

 

Our Location

39520 Woodward Avenue
Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
248-430-6331
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday: 07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Wednesday: 07:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:

By Appointment

Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Smile Gallery
  • Login To Your Account
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map