Dental Recovery From Bulimia Nervosa

Early detection and intervention are important in the recovery and repair of eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. Dental practitioners, particularly a cosmetic dentist, are instrumental in the recovery process as they are often the first health professionals to identify signs and symptoms of this disease. They should be knowledgeable and skilled to assess patients’ signs and symptoms.

Pharyngeal soreness and loss of enamel of teeth are thought to result from repeated exposure to acidic gastric acid. This acid was brought about by induced vomiting. The dentist can provide pre-restorative care by protecting exposed dental faces, desensitization of exposed dentin and decreasing solubility of enamel and dentin. Restorative care and referral for treatment are secondary preventive measures provided by the dentist to decrease potential for further damage.

Dental erosions caused by bulimia nervosa include dry mouth, dental caries, periodontal disease and soft tissue lesions. Enamel is lost and tooth sensitivity to different temperatures is increased.
Differences in dental caries are inconsistent resulting from disordered eating which may stem from the patient’s oral hygiene, malnutrition, genetic predisposition, and ingestion of certain types of medication.

Other signs associated with this disease are enlarged parotid glands and poor oral hygiene. A dental specialist called cosmetic dentist should assess the patient’s readiness for dental treatment. Dental restorations and fixed prosthetics can be done after informing the patient of the hazards involved in such care.

Regular visits to the dentist should be emphasized for close monitoring hard-tissue loss and soft-tissue lesions. Restorative and periodontal health considerations should be addressed. Periodic weight and clinical observations are also important. Your dentist usually provides the patient with custom-made trays and 1.1 percent neutral fluoride gel to be used every five minutes. After vomiting, the patient should rinse with one teaspoon baking soda mixed with eight ounces of water to neutralize the stomach acids that damage tooth enamel.

Preventive measures also include instructions in proper tooth-brushing to minimize enamel loss, the use of tongue cleaner and the importance of drinking water throughout the day to decrease acid content in the mouth. To promote salivary flow, patients can consume sugarless gum and mints sweetened with xylitol. Eating snack foods that do not contain added sugar are important to good oral and general health.

Documentations and photographs of before and after oral changes can be an effective tool to encourage patient’s cooperation. This is especially important for children and adolescents who are at risk of damaging their health. Visuals can motivate one to undergo dental restoration and therapy. Close monitoring of the processes done will also help. Confidentiality between patient and practitioner must be observed at all times.

In any case, a cosmetic dentist should find the right approach to opening a dialogue with a patient suspected of having this disorder. It is rather difficult to assist one who does not want to be helped. This dentist can address rehabilitation issues of patients better. Educational and oral health management comes with the territory and each practitioner should be trained for such occasions.

By: Rudy Baylor

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Rudy is a writer for Cosmetic Dentist Center, a resource website for people that are interested in purchasing cosmetic dental services. The website also contains a vast list of cosmetic dentists in the US.