Erosion can drastically change the color, size and shape of your teeth. Excessive tooth erosion is one way your dentist could tell if a patient may be bulimic. Frequent vomiting can lead to sensitive teeth, dry mouth and red, cracked lips.
If you are getting an annual or semi-annual dental exam, but do not wish to talk about your eating disorder, most dentists will drop the subject and respect your wishes while keeping the condition of your mouth confidential. Frankly, it's easier not to talk about the eating disorder.
Repeated vomiting can cause serious damage to the teeth. Vomit is especially toxic because it contains stomach acids. These acids break down food in your stomach so your body can digest it. But in the mouth, these acids are corrosive, enough to wear away at the enamel that covers and protects your teeth.
Tooth erosion can take about three years to become obvious, but not all bulimics experience it. Many people with bulimia may be malnourished, which can cause anemia, poor healing and increase the risk of periodontal disease.
Dental damage from bulimia is permanent. But dentists can use veneers and other cosmetic treatments to improve your smile. Treating your bulimia ensures that you don't do more damage to your teeth.
Self-induced vomiting, the most common purging behavior for individuals with bulimia nervosa, can cause serious dental problems. Enamel erosion: As enamel is eroded, teeth may become more transparent or see-through. Enamel erosion will be noticed most prominently on the upper teeth facing the tongue.
Contrary to how yucky it may feel, it's not great to brush your teeth right after vomiting. It's best to swish water around your mouth with a touch of baking soda after vomiting. We recommend waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing. Brushing immediately after rubs the stomach acid on teeth.
A person induces vomiting during purging by using their fingers or other objects. This irritates soft tissues in the back of the throat like the salivary glands and causes them to swell. A dentist or hygienist may notice redness on the inside of the throat or puffiness on the outside of the face just below the ears.
It's not uncommon for dentists to be the first medical practitioner to diagnose an eating disorder. Approximately 28 percent of patients suffering from bulimia are first diagnosed during a dental exam, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
If your primary care provider suspects you have bulimia, he or she will typically: Talk to you about your eating habits, weight-loss methods and physical symptoms. Do a physical exam. Request blood and urine tests.
During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists can detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), mouth sores and gum disease. If you're feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders.
During an oral cancer screening exam, your dentist looks over the inside of your mouth to check for red or white patches or mouth sores. Using gloved hands, your dentist also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities. The dentist may also examine your throat and neck for lumps.
One simple way of combating the issue is by breathing through the nose. If your nasal passages are congested, consider taking medications beforehand. The “Hegu point” or the fleshy part of the palm plays a role in tolerating the discomfort brought by dental procedures according to some researchers.
Frequent vomiting can erode your tooth enamel, especially on the tongue side of the upper front teeth. This sharply increases the risk of decay in these areas and can make these teeth sensitive to temperature. Severe erosion can lead to changes in your bite or the way your upper and lower teeth come together.
At some point in time, a dentist may fill your cavity. Once they do so, there's a good chance you may feel a bit sick and uncomfortable. Rest assured this is completely normal. A cavity will likely cause your mouth to feel numb for a few hours afterwards.
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours after vomiting. Sip small amounts of water or suck ice chips every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Next, sip clear liquids every 15 minutes for 3-4 hours. Examples include water, sports drinks, flat soda, clear broth, gelatin, flavored ice, popsicles or apple juice.
Second, just before throwing up your body produces extra saliva, which helps protect your teeth from the strong acid. Third, the vomiting process releases chemicals in your body to make you feel better. So that “I feel better” feeling after throwing up is not just your imagination — it's your biology working.
Many of us will try to prevent vomiting if we're feeling nauseated. But if you're feeling ill, it's best to let yourself vomit naturally. But don't force it, says Dr. Goldman.
“Chipmunk Cheeks”: A Common Sign of Bulimia
One of the telltale signs of bulimia is the appearance of swollen cheeks – colloquially known as “chipmunk cheeks” – on the sides of the face. Caused by the enlargement of the parotid glands (one of the salivary glands), the medical term for this phenomenon is sialadenosis.
So much of the physical damage caused by disordered eating behaviors can be healed through recovery, however, dental damage is not one of those areas. The good news is that, while enamel cannot be regrown, what remains can be strengthened given the proper care from dental professionals and the individual themselves.
Many people with bulimia experience digestive problems, including acid reflux and stomach pain. The sphincter controlling the esophagus may become weaker, allowing acid to back up into the esophagus and causing gastrointestinal symptoms. Other possible digestive issues include diarrhea, bloating, and constipation.