Eating disorders are bad for your body, but they’re also bad for your teeth. Your peers and parents may not know if you have bulimia, a disorder in which a person purges after eating, but your dentist can tell.
For bulimics, binge eaters will make themselves vomit in the hopes of losing weight. If this is done often enough, acids will start to wear away your tooth enamel.
Vomiting brings up stomach acids through the mouth. When the acids touch your teeth, tooth enamel erodes. The destruction is mostly seen on the inside of the upper front teeth. When the enamel erodes, your teeth become weaker and thinner, and they are more susceptible to decay and sensitivity.
Bulimics are not the only ones who may suffer tooth damage. Pregnant women with excessive morning sickness can experience the same effects from vomiting. Enamel erosion can also occur if your diet includes too many acidic foods and beverages. The acid wears your teeth.
Excessive vomiting also causes other oral problems, like dehydration and dry mouth. Purging causes your body to lose water, and having a dry mouth increases your risk for cavities and gum disease.
If you purge often, rinse your mouth out afterwards. Also, make sure you are keeping up with good oral hygiene, to lessen the risk of serious tooth damage. Dr. Richard Kobak can make sure your teeth are healthy and recommend services to save your tooth enamel. Contact Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY at 516-433-2211 to set up an appointment.
