Bulimia Damages the Teeth Says Several Buckhead Dental Practitioners

Bulimia (bulimia nervosa) is a psychiatric condition associated to someone who overeats, then flushes the food out of the body by vomiting shortly after eating. Survey results show that one out of ten people are bulimics. This condition usually starts to manifest in the early teenage life because it is when teenagers become more conscious of their body to the point of believing that they’re fat - even if they’re truly not.

Although bulimia is a psychological condition that has a lot to do with body image, it can greatly affect the condition of one’s teeth as well. The excessive act of vomiting is known to cause many oral and dental problems. Constant vomiting wears down the teeth’s enamel and causes tooth decay, tooth loss, and gum diseases. Dental practitioners in Buckhead do not suggest bulimics to neglect these dental concerns for they may lead to serious problems in the long run.
When a person vomits almost every now and then, the mouth introduces gastric acids. These acids wear down the enamel, causing the teeth to become soft. As a result, the gums erode and most of the teeth loosen.

Most bulimics keep their condition secret to the public, even to their families and friends, which is why they do not get immediate dental help. Many Buckhead dental experts now recommend regular dental check-ups to suspected bulimics. Dentists can diagnose, confirm, and give proper treatment not just for the dental conditions but also for bulimia, too. In fact, a lot of dental organizations are now in an active campaign against bulimia by giving public information regarding its effects on the teeth.

According to a Buckhead dentist, dental damages due to bulimia are manifested with developing cracked and dry lips, erosion of tooth enamel, dry mouth, and a noticeable decrease in saliva production. Other symptoms include enlarged salivary glands, redness in palate and throat, receding gums, loosening of fillings, and bite adjustments with severe pain.

These symptoms usually occur in just a short period of time, so Buckhead dental experts recommend immediate dental consultation once one of these occurs. Some bulimics even experience sudden tooth loss but they just take it lightly. Therefore, relatives, friends, and bulimics themselves should find reliable dentists who will handle their case with confidentiality and sympathy.