EATING DISORDERS AND ORAL HEALTH
This is one of a continuing series on how systemic issues can affect your oral health. Eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, physically damage both your oral health and overall health. These disorders, which include intake of little food or excessive eating with purging, can rob the body of much needed vitamins and minerals. These deficiencies can present themselves in the oral environment. Without proper nutrition, the gums can lose their pink color and become increasing soft and tender, bleeding easily. Additionally,disorders that involve vomiting can cause discoloration and erosion of the teeth through constant contact with stomach acids. Other conditions possible include:
Swollen salivary glands
Thin, sensitive teeth
Scheduling regular dental appointments
Remember, maintaining a healthy body includes taking care of your oral health. The dental complications can be addressed with a wide variety of treatments directed to correct the deficiencies caused by the eating disorders. Our office located in the Montclair area is very attune to this concerns and corrections.
