The Dangers of Bulimia to Your Dental Health

Many people will binge and purge (otherwise called Bulimia) due to several "reasons". Over time, this process of bingeing large amounts of high caloric, sugary foods can do extensive damage to the person's mind as well as their body. Believe it or not, the teeth can be damaged to the extent that they are no longer beneficial. Bulimic teeth receive irreversible damage due to the acidic purging of a bulimic.

More often than not, a visit to the dentist's office can determine if one needs a bulimia nervosa treatment or not. This is not to say that if someone has poor teeth, they are bulimic. This is stating that a dentist visit can assist in verifying a diagnosis based on certain conditions that the teeth may be in.

Signs of Damage to Teeth

The bulimic may complain of the sensitivity that they have with their teeth and gums. There may be visible signs also such as diminishing gloss and changing colour of the teeth. The shape of bulimic teeth may change as well; the teeth may become easily damaged or simply unhealthy looking.

Over time, the stomach acid -- as it rushes from the throat and out -- passes very quickly through the mouth. The acid will begin to react to the enamel as it passes over the teeth and gums, and starts breaking it down as well as attacking and destroying the gum tissue. After purging, a bulimic will brush their teeth rather harshly to get rid of any residue of the vomit. This brushing can be all the more damaging to the gums and cause them to bleed.

Once the enamel has been eroded, the next layer of the tooth is left exposed, and this is when the continued purging will begin to actually eat at the tooth. Sealant treatments can be given, but if the bulimic teeth are too badly damaged, then the sealant may not correctly adhere to the tooth and could cause further dental issues. It is beneficial to have dental services performed early on, but unfortunately due to the nature of Bulimia, sometimes it may be too late.

It is possible that fluoride treatments, using a baking soda compound when brushing or rinsing with plain water after purging may be useful in the prevention of further harm that the bulimic teeth may receive. It is possible that if the teeth are still in somewhat of a healthy state and the bulimic is in the process of reversing the disorder, that the teeth could be restored to a certain extent.

Bingeing and purging can be taken to an unhealthy level which can cause great harm whether the signs are visible or not. Acknowledging and admitting that one has an eating disorder is the first step in overcoming and healing ones' self. Bulimic teeth can have irreversible damage, but if the damage is stopped in time, the teeth may be able to be protected and last for the rest of their lifetime.

Are you or someone you know affected by bulimia nervosa? Contact an eating disorder clinic in London to talk to an expert.

Ellern Mede Eating Disorder Services is widely regarded as the UK’s most specialist provider of intensive inpatient and outpatient treatment for children and young people.