Most people today are aware of the harmful effects of bulimia. It is a nasty disorder with a mental basis that can do major physical damage as well. Many bulimics take years to recover, some never do. Many young girls who become bulimic are not aware of the dangers right away, or do not really think about them. It usually starts out as as an effort to lose weight, which turns into a full blown addiction one can not escape for many years. One thing many bulimics do not think about is the irreversable damage they are doing to their teeth. At least not until their teeth are already severely affected.
Some people see bulimia as a disorder of vanity, it really is not. It is a disorder that will slowly take away a persons health, and yes, their looks as well. One of ways it does this is by eroding the hard enamel of the teeth. Everytime the bulimic vomits, stomach acid is going through the mouth and coming into contact with the teeth. Enamel is the hardest biological substance in the body, but even it can not resist stomach acid. This will leave the teeth soft and vunerable to decay. Once the enamel is gone, you can not get it back, so even recovered bulimics will be more vulnerable to tooth decay.
Almost all bulimics get frequent cavities, which can result in more serious problems. Many bulimics have had multiple root canals, some failed, later needing to be extracted. It is not uncommon for bulimics to be missing a tooth or two, usually molars. Bulimics also experience ridging and thinning of the front teeth, as well as discoloration. As enamel is eroded, the yellow dentin of the teeth is exposed, leaving the bulimic with a less attractive, less healthy Another harmful effect of bulimia is gum disease, and imflamation of the gums, which is also linked to other health problems.
The teeth can just not stand up to bulimia. A bulimic that continues to binge and purge for years is at great risk of wearing dentures early, In some cases as early as their thirties. It is a scary fact. But the dental effects of bulimia are all too true. I know from personal experience, I am a recovered bulimic. I binged and purged through most of high school, the last two years just feeling so weak because of my many failed attempts to stop completely. I stopped completely a little before my senior year. And I decided to write this because as a person in my mid 20’s I am still experiencing the dental problems associated with bulimia. Here is a short personal account of the dental problems I have experienced as a result of bulimia.
At about age 13, I started purging, by 14 I started to get cavities in the molars, I had 2 root canals in the next year or so. Both of the root canals failed, and later needed extracted. So by the time I graduated high school, I was missing two bottom molars. I was still prone to cavities, because bulimia destroys enamel that protects teeth. At 23 I had to get another bottom molar extracted. Even though ever since I have overcome bulimia I have been taking very good care of my teeth. Just this week I have started having severe tooth pain on another bottom molar, which clearly has a cavity, I am going to the dentist next week, and hopefully I will still be able to save that tooth.
I did not think of bulimia as a dental problem until I started experiencing dental problems as a result of bulimia. And sadly by the time a bulimic notices dental problems, a lot of damage is already done. It isn’t a nice reality, to have to deal with this even after recovery. It is a scary to lose teeth at such a young age, and hope that I can keep the rest healthy for the rest of my life. I wish I could start over with my teeth, but I can not. Bulimia destroys teeth, they just can not hold up when they are constantly coming into contact with stomach acid.
sources
atlanta dental group
personal experience
