Eating disorders and oral Health: Teeth Damage
BioMin helps stop erosion caused by eating disorders: “like winning the lottery”.
Rebecca Taylor, who has suffered from anorexia nervosa since 2013, has only been using BioMin F for a couple of months, but found it life-changing within just a few weeks.
‘My teeth feel so much stronger and smoother,’ she said. ‘I have always taken care of my oral health and have tried many toothpaste brands, but nothing has ever helped so much or so quickly as BioMin F.’
Due to her condition, Rebecca suffers from stomach acid and reflux problems, and has been through a phase of making herself sick. The result has been tooth enamel erosion and increased sensitivity, especially on the front teeth which showed visible enamel loss, and she has needed some fillings on the lower molars.
Eating disorders can be hugely debilitating – and in extreme cases even fatal. Poor nutrition, acids and under/over-eating bring a range of health issues, and dental health is frequently affected.
Tooth damage caused by eating disorders:
- Enamel erosion, especially in those who suffer from acid reflux or self-induced vomiting. Dentine hypersensitivity commonly goes along with this
- Reduced saliva flow (xerostomia) caused by vomiting and the cocktail of drugs taken by many sufferers, including laxatives, appetite suppressors, antidepressants etc
- Decay (caries)
- Gingivitis and periodontal problems.
Dental Hygienist Juliette Reeves said ‘The biggest issue is loss of tooth surface’. There’s a specific pattern of erosion behind the front teeth and on the biting surfaces of the molars, which can alert the dental professional to an eating disorder.
‘Many patients may simply say they have acid reflux, so we can give them general information on diet, advice not to brush just after an acid attack, and use mouthwash rather than brushing to freshen the mouth.’ It’s important to look at oral hygiene, especially toothpaste choice, she added. ‘I usually recommend something with a high remineralisation factor, and BioMin F is perfect because it is non-prescription so can be recommended by a hygienist.’
Recovering from and Refeeding issues for oral health.
A lesser-known aspect of an eating disorder is the ‘refeeding process’ undergone during a recovery stage. ‘I have to snack quite a lot throughout the day, which obviously isn’t great for my teeth. It gives me reflux problems and I am eating foods like tomatoes and sugary things as part of a meal plan which causes dental issues too,’ said Rebecca.
A small price to pay
Rebecca, now aged 28, accepts that her eating disorder is probably a lifelong condition, with her ‘anorexia voice’ battling the voice of reason in her head, but she aims to keep as healthy as she can. Caring for her oral health is very important to her. ‘We don’t think twice about spending money on cosmetics, and our teeth are so important that I feel it’s a small price to pay for a product that really works,’ she said.
A final note:
The results for Rebecca Taylor may not always be replicable for suffers of all eating disorders. Eating disorders can cause considerable damage to teeth. Remineralising or sensitivity products like BioMin cannot always repair or arrest the damage caused. BioMin is an effective remineralising agent, when using please follow the instructions for the best results.