Mouths Hold Clues to Eating Disorders
Increasingly, dentists are becoming aware of just how much information a person's mouth holds about her overall health. Dental problems are sometimes indicators of other, more serious, health issues -- such as eating disorders.
"Upper front teeth that are paper thin, with the enamel almost completely worn away, and teeth that hurt [are symptoms of bulimia]," Washington Post writer Michael Birnbaum reported in a June 23 article. "[These symptoms are] distinguishable from acid reflux because different teeth are affected."
A Feb. 19 article on the Medical News Today website also addressed the connection between dental health and eating disorders:
"Upper front teeth that are paper thin, with the enamel almost completely worn away, and teeth that hurt [are symptoms of bulimia]," Washington Post writer Michael Birnbaum reported in a June 23 article. "[These symptoms are] distinguishable from acid reflux because different teeth are affected."
A Feb. 19 article on the Medical News Today website also addressed the connection between dental health and eating disorders:
A parent may not recognize a child is anorexic or bulimic, however, through a routine dental checkup, a dentist may spot the oral signs of the disease," said Dr. Katina Morelli, D.D.S., dental director for Delta Dental of Illinois. ...Dentists who find suspicious symptoms should have the patient come back in two weeks. If the gum or teeth conditions persist, the patient should be referred to a physician.
Bad breath, sensitive teeth and eroded tooth enamel are just a few of the signs that dentists use to determine whether a patient suffers from an eating disorder. Other signs include teeth that are worn and appear almost translucent, mouth sores, dry mouth, cracked lips, bleeding gums, and tender mouth, throat and salivary glands.
Labels: dentists
posted by EatingDisordersHelpGuide at 6:57 AM
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