Contributed by Specialist Dental Group
Eating disorders are on the increase in Singapore. There are two main kinds of eating disorders – anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Both of these disorders can be detected by a well-trained dentist.
With anorexia, a person suffers from an obsessive fear of weight gain and refuses food in order to achieve a weight that is lower than a healthy person’s weight. The constant refusal of food intake causes a significant reduction in saliva production, which is necessary for cleaning the teeth. It also results in a dry mouth with red and cracked lips. In addition, a lack of nutrients can also result in osteoporosis, weakening the bones in the jaw that support teeth, leading to tooth loss.With bulimia, the sufferer usually goes on a food binge before using various methods to purge the food that has been eaten. Bulimia sufferers are at risk for tooth decay, tooth loss and gum disease that result from frequent vomiting due to the gastric acid which corrodes the enamel of the teeth. Tooth erosion is hastened if there is frequent vomiting.
Changes in the mouth are often the physical signs of eating disorders. Thus dentists can often tell if a patient is suffering from an eating disorder from the condition of the teeth. Regular visit to the dentists would help to prevent further damage to eroded teeth. Some solutions such as crowns, composite bonding (which is a tooth coloured material designed to replace enamel) or veneers might be recommended to protect the enamel of the teeth from further wear and tear.
Specialist Dental Group is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services. For more information on different types of dental treatments, send an enquiry via www.specialistdentalgroup.com or call 6733 7883.
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