Bulimia: Caring For Your Teeth
When living with bulimia, dental hygiene is a very crucial topic to address and take care of. When you have an eating problem, your dental health can be badly affected, and if you are able to get assistance in order to protect your teeth and gums, it can do wonders for both your mental and physical welfare.
If you are familiar with the potential issues that might arise as a result of bulimia and other eating disorders, you will be better able to maintain your composure and take better care of your mouth in general. Other eating disorders can cause many of the same difficulties as bulimia.
What kind of damage does bulimia cause to teeth?
Teeth are frequently at the forefront of the mind of someone who struggles with bulimia nervosa in terms of their health issues. When you vomit on a frequent basis, your teeth and gums are put in harm’s way, and the damage may accumulate very rapidly.
Because of how the pH balance of the gastric acid that naturally exists in your stomach works, the quantity of acid that is present in vomit has the potential to very quickly destroy the surface enamel of a person’s teeth. Because of this, the underlying dentin and pulp of the tooth might become exposed if there is no enamel to shield the remainder of the tooth from damage.
A person who lives with bulimia could have dental discomfort and/or sensitivity in their teeth. It is possible that eating or drinking hot or cold meals, as well as foods high in sugar, will bring on this discomfort more frequently than other things will. In the second scenario, compulsively indulging in meals high in sugar might hasten the progression of tooth decay because it encourages the production of more plaque bacteria.
Most significantly, the erosion of tooth enamel that might result from frequent vomiting can cause teeth to take on a yellowish cast and have a smooth surface. This may be the change that stands out the most to those who know someone who struggles with bulimia. Not only that, but the condition affects more than just your teeth. Because of the symptoms of vomiting so frequently, bulimia can also cause the salivary glands of a person to swell up and become enlarged.
Caring for your teeth
When a person is struggling to overcome an eating disorder, one of their primary concerns should be maintaining good dental health, and this is especially true in the case of bulimia. Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day is the best approach to maintain the health of your teeth and keep them looking their best. Always remember to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, even at night.
It is also recommended to clean one’s teeth after a bout of vomiting, preferably around an hour or so after the last episode of vomiting has ended. Because of this, any acid that may still be present in your mouth will settle, making the environment much easier to clean. It is more probable that you will rub the acid into your teeth if you wash your teeth shortly after throwing up. If the dentine or pulp is exposed, this can lead to more deterioration, as well as sensitivity and discomfort in the teeth.
It is a good idea to consult with a cosmetic dentist if the color of your teeth has changed from white to yellow, or if you have observed that they are significantly smoother or appear to have a “glossy” aspect. Talk to your dentist about your dental health concerns on a regular basis if you have frequent vomiting. Your dentist will be able to provide you with recommendations on the best toothbrush brands, sizes, and pastes to use for your specific condition.
If you have any of these difficulties, Rose Dental Nashua will find a method to repair your smile while maintaining its aesthetic value.