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There are many indicators that someone is suffering from an eating disorder. A sudden, dramatic weight loss, refusal to eat certain foods, and extreme anxiety about gaining weight or being fat can all be telltale signs that there is a problem.
Eating disorders can also cause significant oral health issues, which may not be readily visible to concerned friends or family members, but can be easily detected by a dentist during a routine exam. Left untreated, these symptoms can be devastating to the oral and overall health of the individual affected.
"The mouth is the focus of control and abuse for the eating disorder sufferer and, accordingly, the oral region often shows the first physical symptoms of a problem," said Dr. Scott Navarro, Dental Director, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey. "Oral sores, irritated tissue, bleeding gums and acid-damaged dental fillings or orthodontic equipment are all warning signs of an unhealthy situation."
The following oral signs and symptoms are associated with eating disorders:
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Tooth enamel erosion. Stomach acids produced during vomiting pool in the mouth and settle on the teeth, eating away at the tooth surface and surrounding oral tissue. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, up to 89 percent of bulimic patients show signs of this telltale enamel erosion.
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Dry mouth and enlarged salivary glands. Dieting, starvation and binge-and-purge cycles have all been associated with reduced salivary flow rates, swollen parotid glands (large salivary glands below the ears responsible for most of the mouth's saliva production), dehydrated oral tissue, dry mouth and irritated, chapped lips. Saliva is key in preventing tooth decay as it neutralizes the acids in plaque, washes the teeth and may also help to remineralize tooth enamel.
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Heightened dental sensitivity. Malnutrition is a common result of eating disorders. In terms of oral health, this can mean decalcification of teeth from insufficient amounts of vitamin D, calcium and proteins. Without these important nutrients, teeth are ravaged by acids, and can become brittle, weak and worn, making them particularly sensitive to temperature and prone to sharp pains and infections.
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Increased rate of dental decay. Behaviors such as eating excessive amounts of carbohydrates during binges and habitual tooth brushing to cleanse the mouth after vomiting aggravate tooth decay. In combination with dry mouth and vitamin deficiencies, eating disorders can lead to extensive tooth decay and cavity damage.
"Understanding the degree of damage inflicted by eating disorders may encourage sufferers to seek help," Dr. Navarro said. "Dentists are also in a unique position to detect disorders and recommend that patients get the necessary treatment. This is yet another example of how important regular dental checkups are in protecting and maintaining overall health and well-being."
Sources:
The American Dental Association, www.ada.org
The American Dental Hygienists' Association, www.adha.org
The National Eating Disorders Association, www.nationaleatingdisorders.org |
