The Impact of Eating Disorders on Dental Health

An eating disorder has the potential to induce irreversible harm to the oral cavity and dentition. Oral health can be significantly compromised by the detrimental behaviors and nutritional insufficiencies that are characteristic of bulimia (compulsive eating and bingeing) and anorexia (restricting food consumption). Anorexic individuals are at a greater than eightfold increased risk of developing tooth decay.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

1. Inadequate nutrition may result in a lack of essential nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, iron, and iron, which are all detrimental to dental health.
2. Insufficient calcium: Due to its involvement in the maintenance of robust jawbones, a deficiency in calcium may lead to tooth loosening and potential tooth loss. In the event of inadequate dietary calcium intake, the body will extract the mineral from alternative sources such as the teeth and bones.
3. Inadequate vitamin D: Calcium absorption is dependent on vitamin D. In addition to its role in the immune system, vitamin D functions as an anti-inflammatory agent. Additionally, it can combat periodontal disease.
4. Deficiency in iron: Oxygen is transported throughout the body via iron. Deficiency in healthy red blood cells impairs the body’s ability to combat infections.
5. Overeating and reflux: An overabundance of stomach acid can result from binge eating. Acid reflux into the oesophagus results in the development of GERD. Mouth acid produced by the stomach has the potential to cause damage to oral tissues and tooth disintegration.
6. Self-induced vomiting eliminates food by expelling acidic secretions from the stomach. Frequent episodes of vomiting result in the continuous passage of potent gastric acid over the teeth, a process that erodes the enamel. Enamel erosion can result in a translucent appearance and significantly elevates the susceptibility to tooth decay. Additionally, excessive tooth brushing or rinsing following vomiting can lead to dental decay.
7. Poor nutrition and/or vomiting can cause saliva glands to enlarge, leading to dry mouth. This may result in chronic parched mouth, a condition that can exacerbate oral acidity. This may also lead to an increased incidence of dental caries, tooth loss, and oral infections.As per the Indian Dental Association, individuals who are afflicted with an eating disorder may mitigate oral health complications by:

1. Twenty minutes should pass after rinsing your mouth with tap water and scrubbing your teeth again.
2. Brush teeth from the gum line to the extremities in a vertical motion. This facilitates the toothbrush’s filaments from penetrating between the teeth.
3. Utilize toothpaste that is nonabrasive and a flexible toothbrush; ideally, one that is designed to guard tooth enamel.
4. An oral dentist can assist: Your dentist may recommend preventative measures for your dentition. They might suggest: Treatments containing fluoride that fortify tooth enamel.
   Mints, gum, and toothpaste containing Xylitol, a sugar substitute that promotes saliva production and prevents cavities and parched mouth.
5. A mouthguard designed to reduce the damage that gastric acid causes to teeth.
6. In the case of an eating disorder, it is critical that you maintain regular dental appointments and discuss your specific treatment requirements with your dentist.You may locate a dentist at focusdentalindia.com if you require one.

Visit Focus Dental in our locations in Naraina Vihar, Max Hospital, Saket and Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, for additional information on selecting the best dentist. To schedule an appointment, give 8929265020 a call today.