A lot of people struggle with an eating disorder, and the dentist is usually the first to find out. In addition to the mental and physical problems an eating disorder causes, the condition of the mouth may also be affected. If you over-eat and have sugary foods, the recurrent and large sugar intake can cause caries and cavities. If vomiting is part of your eating disorder, your teeth can be damage by the acid. By exposing the teeth to many vomits, without taking its precautions, the teeth will become porous and have the risk of breaking.
The tooth substance is lost forever
The acid from the stomach is a strong acid, and this can dissolve the enamel of the tooth, which is the outer layer, and after that the inner layer of the tooth bone (dentine). Unlike bone, the enamel and the dentine cannot be restored, and if the injury has occurred, it cannot be corrected. The more of the tooth that disappears, the more sensitive to cold and heat the teeth becomes. Finally, the teeth can become shortened which can affect the ability to chew. Very acid-damaged teeth can also cause changes in the way the teeth bite together, which can ultimately mean that the jaw joint is affected by muscle and joint pain.
How to reduce the risk of acid damage
Typically, you will not be able to see the damage before it is too late. However, your dentist will be able to spot this long before you can. If it is not possible to avoid vomiting, try to reduce the damage associated with it. The best part is trying to remove the acid from the oral cavity. This is best done by rinsing the mouth after vomiting, water is sufficient, but milk is even better, as it not only rinses the acid but neutralizes it. The next precaution is to give the teeth time to recover from the acid attack. Many will feel the need to brush their teeth right after, to remove the nasty taste, but this is strongly discouraged. When the teeth have been exposed to acid, the enamel will be slightly dissolved and soft. Therefore, you should preferably walk for at least an hour before brushing your teeth, so that the enamel has the opportunity to become tough again. If it is not possible to do so, you may run the risk of doing more harm than good, as you actually brush away the outer dissolved enamel. Below you can read some good advices.
Good advices:
- Use a soft toothbrush and a toothpaste with fluoride and a low abrasive content (consult your dentist for advice).
- Remember to brush your tongue because bacteria and acid residues can settle on your tongue and damage your teeth and oral cavity.
- Do not brush just after vomiting, as the enamel is vulnerable due to the acid. Instead, rinse your mouth with water (or milk).
- Avoid large amounts of acidic foods, such as sodas, energy drinks, juices, sour candy and sour fruits.
- Use straws if you drink soft drinks, energy drinks or other acidic beverages. Then you avoid the teeth coming into contact with the acidic fluid.
- Go visit your dentist regularly so the dentist can help you look after your teeth. At the dentist, your general oral health, possible acid damage and their development will be monitored.