An eating disorder (ED) usually has serious consequences for our health, both physical and emotional. Luckily, nowadays we have a lot of information about it, not only to go to specialized centers where they can help us overcome them, but also to be able to prevent and identify when someone in our environment needs help.
An eating disorder is an alteration in eating habits caused by emotional pressure on our appearance. We no longer have a healthy relationship with food, significantly affecting our health in general. Anorexia, bulimia and binge eating are the most well-known EDs.
How do EDs affect our oral health?
One of the main problems we find is the erosion of tooth enamel due to stomach acids when vomiting recurrently. It can be identified that erosion is caused by an ED because erosion is usually more severe in the upper front teeth due to the position of the tongue when vomiting is induced.
Another consequence is the feeling of dry mouth, as saliva is reduced due to dehydration. In addition, the salivary glands are often swollen and reddish due to the strain of vomiting.
On the other hand, it is also possible to have greater sensitivity in the teeth, especially due to the rough brushing that is usually done after each vomit. It is also common to see some wounds in the mouth, have gum pain or cracked lips.
Identifying the consequences of an ED on oral health can be a way to identify this health problem, which is why, among other things, it is so important to regularly attend check-ups. If you need advice regarding oral health, at Clínica Bajo we can help you.
