The Five Harmful Effects of Eating Disorders on Your Dental Health

Eating disorders affect oral health.

Don’t let an eating disorder affect your dental health.

While many think about the physical effects of eating disorders or the mental toll they can take on a person, those who have an eating disorder also need to realize that their dental health can be affected, too.

At Luminous Smiles in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dimple Desai and her team are all about the relationships and personal care they give each patient, allowing them to feel comfortable and confident in their dental health. Dr. Desai is also accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and is the only female dentist with this accreditation in the Newport Beach area. At Luminous Smiles, we’re here to help our patients realize their dental health potential.

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder, it’s important to know how it affects other areas of the body.

Enamel Erosion

One of the effects an eating disorder can have on a person’s dental health is enamel erosion. Unfortunately, frequent vomiting can lead to tooth erosion because of the high acidic content that comes from the stomach. Prolonged exposure to acid can weaken the enamel, or hard outer layer, of the tooth, and can lead to tooth sensitivity and dental cavities.

Increased Risk of Gum Disease

A second effect eating disorders could have on a person’s dental health is gum disease and infections. Those who have eating disorders are often not getting the correct nutrition. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can affect a person’s overall health, including their dental health. 

The chance of getting oral infections and gum disease increases because your body isn’t getting enough of the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep your teeth healthy and strong. For instance, calcium, which is found in dairy products, is an important mineral for teeth, as it helps keep the dental enamel strong. Vitamins A and B12 are important for healthy gums. A lack of those vitamins can lead to gum disease, known as periodontitis, which can cause the tissues around the gums to deteriorate, and in the worst cases, can lead to tooth loss. 

Frequent Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is exactly like it sounds—it is when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Some eating disorders can affect the salivary glands, which produce saliva. Saliva is important to your mouth because your saliva helps to balance its pH. The saliva also works to help break down bacteria in your mouth naturally. A buildup of bacteria can lead to plaque and cavities, among other dental issues. A persistent dry mouth can cause all sorts of dental issues, as well as the discomfort of a dry mouth. To help combat dry mouth, it helps to stay hydrated with water.

Brittle and Cracked Teeth

Those who are suffering from an eating disorder aren’t getting enough nutrients into their bodies, and those deficiencies can wreak havoc on their bodies in many ways. Teeth are just like bones in the sense that they need vitamins and minerals to be strong and healthy. If teeth aren’t getting enough nutrients, they can weaken. Weakened teeth are brittle and thus are susceptible to cracks and breaks. In severe cases, tooth loss can occur because of a lack of essential nutrients. This is why a proper, balanced diet is so important to keep your mouth and teeth happy and healthy.

Tooth Discoloration

Tooth discoloration can be an effect of eating disorders. Discoloration of the teeth can happen for many reasons, from nutritional deficiencies to enamel erosion, staining, and poor oral hygiene. To help keep teeth from losing their brightness, it’s important to keep up with proper oral hygiene routines, including brushing the teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes, along with flossing at least once a day.

Tooth discoloration can be reversed with the help of tooth whitening treatments. Dr. Desai offers both in-office and at-home tooth whitening treatments to help restore the bright white to your smile.

Visit Luminous Smiles to Restore Dental Health

Eating disorders are serious medical conditions that need to be treated by a doctor. Once a person has control over their eating disorder, Dr. Desai and the team at Luminous Smiles in Newport Beach can help restore your teeth. Damage that can be done from the effects of an eating disorder can be treated with cosmetic dentistry procedures, such as tooth whitening and veneers.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Desai today to discuss your dental health journey in an environment that is judgment-free. The Luminous Smiles team is here to help restore your smile to its health in any way we can. Call us today!

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