Thank you for sharing with us! This was definitely a reminder of how common eating disorders are; and our responsibility to make sure our patients are educated on the dangers. You can see some excerpts of the article below:
“Eating disorders can also affect a person’s oral health,” says the American Dental Association on its consumer website, MouthHealthy.org. “Without proper nutrition, gums and other soft tissue inside the mouth may bleed easily. The glands that produce saliva may swell and individuals may experience chronic dry mouth.”
According to the ADA, tooth surfaces are put in jeopardy during the course of some of these diseases when sufferers purposely empty the contents of their stomachs through their mouths. Teeth are then exposed to corrosive gastric acids from the stomach. The acid may cause teeth to become worn, thin and translucent. Ultimately, teeth can become brittle and chip very easily from the erosion.
In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some time in their life, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. To learn more about the particulars of eating disorders, including where to find help and support, visit nationaleatingdisorders.org.
