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Dental Problems Caused By Bulimia

The effects of bulimia are detrimental and range from physical, emotional, psychological, social, financial, and more. In comparison to anorexia, the physical effects of bulimia may not be as prominent or obvious.

Dental Damage Is a Common Side Effect:

One of the more detrimental and common side effects of bulimia involves dental damage. The negative ways in which teeth are impacted by bulimia is often overshadowed by other major health consequences, such as cardiovascular complications, electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal distress, and bone loss.

A Diagnosis By Dentist:

While teeth may not seem to be the first indicator of an eating disorder, many individuals are diagnosed by their dentists, who often are the initial responder to the dental symptoms arising from bulimia.

Dental practitioners can be an instrumental health professional in identifying the early signs of bulimia, which are often displayed in a person’s mouth and in the condition of their teeth.

In some instances, an individual can live with bulimia for years before receiving help or being officially diagnosed with this mental health disorder.

Dental Problems Can Be a Huge Problem:

The resulting damage to the mouth and teeth can often be the first telling sign of a chronic eating disorder. The quality of life that a person suffering from bulimia will have can be severely hampered with dental/oral disorders.

Many may find it difficult or painful to chew or swallow, while some may suffer from broken or missing teeth. Untreated cavities could lead to more serious health conditions, and bleeding gums could be reflective of periodontal disease.

The Underlying Cause Needs to Be Treated:

While the short-term solution may be to treat the dental conditions that are present, such as filling cavities, repairing broken teeth, caring for gums, etc; the long-term solution is to seek the appropriate treatment that is needed for bulimia.

Dental disorders are serious issues that must be cared for by an appropriate specialist, but the repairs can only go so far if a person continues to purge on a regular basis.

Bulimia Can Be Treated:

Bulimia is indeed a severe psychiatric illness that can impact your life, individuality, security, and self-esteem in ways you never thought possible. It can feel overwhelming to know how your recovery journey might unfold or how your body might be restored from the damage of bulimia.

The beauty of recovery is that it progresses day by day, as you become strengthened apart from the eating disorder.

Talk with Professionals to Get Help:

Talk with your dentist about your dental concerns, and take the step towards receiving comprehensive treatment for bulimia recovery. While restorative dental work will certainly be a step of healing from bulimia, you can effectively address the heart of the eating disorder by obtaining complete care for your body and mind as well.

This will involve the collaborative work of a medical physician, therapist, dietitian, and psychiatrist, who can work together to ensure that you are recovering fully from bulimia nervosa.

(12/07/2020)
by Eating Disorder Hope

More Information: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/bulimia/dental-problems-caused-by-bulimia

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