Eating Disorders and Tooth Care

Introduction

Eating disorders are abnormal eating compulsions.  People with eating disorders have a distorted body image.  They attempt to control their weight by controlling their food intake.  There are several types of eating disorders.  Bulimia and anorexia nervosa are two of the most common ones.  People with bulimia alternately eat food and self-induce vomiting.  People with anorexia barely eat; they essentially starve themselves.

Eating disorders are dangerous to your child’s health.  They also damage your child’s teeth.  Self-induced vomiting associated with bulimia causes harmful stomach acids to enter the mouth.  The stomach acids are strong enough to wear away the protective enamel from your child’s teeth.  This can lead to sensitive teeth, cavities, and tooth discoloration.  Overtime, your child’s back teeth can become smaller.  Your child may experience tooth loss.  This can affect your child’s bite pattern or the way that your child’s teeth come together.

Anorexia causes starvation.  Without food consumption, your child’s body does not receive the vitamins and minerals it needs.  Malnourishment can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment