Yellow, brittle teeth Your teeth may be weaker and more brittle than usual. They can chip easily and may look ragged at the bottom. Sometimes they'll turn a yellowish color or take on a glassy appearance. Bulimia can also change the shape and length of your teeth.
Erosion can drastically change the color, size and shape of your teeth. Excessive tooth erosion is one way your dentist could tell if a patient may be bulimic. Frequent vomiting can lead to sensitive teeth, dry mouth and red, cracked lips. All signs that your dentist is trained to recognize as side effects of bulimia.
For those with bulimia, harsh stomach acid from frequent vomiting wears away tooth enamel increasing the risk of tooth decay; and the effects of anorexia, especially the lack of nutrients consumed, can weaken the jaw bone which also weakens teeth and leads to tooth loss.
Tooth erosion may become apparent after only six months of self-induced vomiting. Over time as the enamel is eroded by repeated exposure to gastric acid, teeth may lose their shine, break, turn yellow, wear down, chip, and look ragged.
Self-induced vomiting, the most common purging behavior for individuals with bulimia nervosa, can cause serious dental problems. Enamel erosion: As enamel is eroded, teeth may become more transparent or see-through. Enamel erosion will be noticed most prominently on the upper teeth facing the tongue.
Tooth erosion can take about three years to become obvious, but not all bulimics experience it. Many people with bulimia may be malnourished, which can cause anemia, poor healing and increase the risk of periodontal disease.
Dental damage from bulimia is permanent. But dentists can use veneers and other cosmetic treatments to improve your smile. Treating your bulimia ensures that you don't do more damage to your teeth.
So much of the physical damage caused by disordered eating behaviors can be healed through recovery, however, dental damage is not one of those areas. The good news is that, while enamel cannot be regrown, what remains can be strengthened given the proper care from dental professionals and the individual themselves.
Repairing teeth that have been worn down from bulimia can cost upward of $50,000. The costs are high because every tooth may need to be capped with a dental crown.
“Chipmunk Cheeks”: A Common Sign of Bulimia
One of the telltale signs of bulimia is the appearance of swollen cheeks – colloquially known as “chipmunk cheeks” – on the sides of the face. Caused by the enlargement of the parotid glands (one of the salivary glands), the medical term for this phenomenon is sialadenosis.
Like all eating disorders, bulimia is a serious illness. It can permanently damage your body and can even be deadly. People with bulimia will often eat large amounts of food, or binge, and then try to get rid of the calories in what is called a purge.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder and mental health condition. People with bulimia are very anxious about their weight and focused on having the 'right' body shape. They also spend a lot of time thinking about food.
The final stage involves dealing with the emotional issues that caused the onset of Bulimia, such as underlying psychological disorders (E.g. depression, anxiety), low self-esteem and detrimental relationships.
Bulimia jaw is a term for a number of symptoms that can result from the purging aspect of bulimia nervosa (BN). It can refer to swelling, intense pain, and a misalignment of the jaw, and sometimes require surgery to correct. Further Reading. Bulimia Jaw: Pain and Swelling.
If left untreated, bulimia can result in long-term health problems such as abnormal heart rhythms, bleeding from the esophagus due to excessive reflux of stomach acid, dental problems, and kidney problems.
Psychotherapy and Bulimia
Psychological treatments for bulimia may involve individual, family, or group psychotherapy. Behavior or cognitive therapies are often prescribed, as well. Behavior therapy focuses on altering habits (such as bingeing and purging).
While within the first decade of follow-up, nearly one-third of those with anorexia nervosa and more than two-thirds of those with bulimia nervosa had recovered; at 22 years, nearly two-thirds in both patient groups had recovered.
If treated swiftly and correctly, individuals are able to experience recovery and healing, along with the reversal of most, but not all, of the physical consequences. However, without professional treatment, bulimia nervosa may be life-threatening.
Bulimia effects on teeth are caused by frequent exposure of enamel to stomach acids contained in vomit; acids erode tooth enamel rapidly and lead to cavities, tooth discoloration and tooth loss. Bulimic teeth typically look worn and yellow.