Bulimia nervosa, Binge-purge behavior, or eating disorder
Bulimia is an eating disorder in which the person frequently binges and then purges, or eats large amounts of food and then regurgitates it. Bulimia is a disease that can have particularly harmful effects on your health, especially your teeth.
When a person vomits, stomach acid enters the mouth which can be very damaging to the teeth, eroding the enamel and causing the teeth to appear dark, stained and grey in color. Overtime the teeth can actually be worn down, creating jagged edges that can chip and break. It can change the bite as the teeth wear away and become shorter. The teeth progressively become more sensitive as the enamel is worn away.
Many more woman than men have this disorder and usually is found in woman 18-35 years of age. The person is aware they have a problem. They feel shame, guilt and fear. The person eats large quantities of food in secret. Binging leads to self-disgust.
An eating disorder is one of the hardest addictions to overcome as people have to eat. People that are bulimic can also be anorexic, and suffer from depression. The patient may need medication and therapy to help overcome the problem.
Bulimia can occur several times a day and go on for months or even years. Purging is used to control weight.
Purging includes:
- forcing your self to vomit
- excessive exercise
- uses of diuretics, laxatives, enemas or emetics (are drugs that to make you vomit)
A person that is bulimic looks like they are a normal weight. Their perception of themselves is that they are fat. It may go undiagnosed because they look normal.
Symptoms that another person might notice are:
- smell of vomit in the bathroom
- plastic bags filled with vomit
- compulsive exercise
- large amounts of food disappearing
- going to the bathroom right after eating
- finding wrappers from laxatives, diet pills, diuretics, or emetics
- eating large pieces of food very rapidly
- extreme concern about weight and body image
The physician may see the following signs:
- broken blood vessels in the eyes (straining while vomiting)
- dry mouth
- small cuts or calluses on the knuckles from forcing oneself to vomit
- rashes especially around the lips, pimples
- pouch-like look to the cheeks
How Bulimia Affects Oral Health
A dentist may be the first health care professional to diagnosis bulimia.
The dentist may see telltale signs of bulimia. They are:
- the gums look dryer and redder
- wear of the enamel especially on the lingual (back) side of the upper teeth
- Pitting of the posterior teeth
- is an increase level of decay from the stomach acid eating away at the teeth
- The teeth begin to chip wear and become shorter. Spaces between the teeth develop
- The teeth become more sensitive
- the teeth become greyer in appearance
- sores or cuts on the palate from fingers or objects used to help the person vomit
It is advisable not to brush after vomiting. Baking soda mixed with water should be used to rinse out the mouth. It will help neutralize the acid. Brushing your teeth after purging will only help grind the stomach acid into your teeth.
High-concentrated fluoride toothpaste is prescribed to help fight tooth decay, further breakdown of the teeth, and sensitivity. Custom mouth trays are made so fluoride applications can be done at home on a frequent basis. Cosmetic dentistry is an important part of the treatment process for an eating disorder. Restoring the look of beautiful healthy, and natural looking teeth can help preserve the patient’s self esteem after recovery. Dr. Hurley can take steps to help preserve and maintain your oral health while you’re still recovering from your illness.
GERD ( gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition where stomach acid comes up and splashes the lower end of the esophagus. It irritates it and can cause change into the tissue of the esophagus. It can mimic bulimia as the acid can eat away the enamel. Sometimes pregnant women can have GERD as the baby grows larger and pushes up on the abdomen. GERD can cause an irritated throat, dry mouth, dry cough, regurgitation of food and sour liquid. The teeth need to be protected from GERD as there is a higher rate of sensitivity, and the teeth chipping and being worn down.
I would like to thank Amanda and Suzanne for graciously sharing their very personal stories with you. Their hope in sharing their experiences is to help prevent others from going through what they have gone through.
Amanda’s Bulimia Story
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| Amanda Before | Amanda After |
“When I was young, I was an overweight child who just wanted to be like everyone else. I perceived myself to be different from the rest of my friends because they were “skinny” and I was not. Throughout my teenage years and high school, I constantly struggled with my weight and had a very difficult relationship with food. I loved food and hated it at the same time.
When I got to college, I found it very difficult to adjust to a healthy eating routine. I found myself reaching for the late night snacks while studying and going out for fast food with friends more often than not. It was during my sophomore year of college I first turned to bulimia. At first, it was something that I convinced myself was going to be “just a one time thing.” Soon, however, the binging and purging became normal—like a routine that I couldn’t (and in some ways didn’t want to) quit.
I went on for years like that—hiding my disease from my friends and family. It overtook my life. Everything became structured around my addiction. At twenty-four, I knew things had to change. I began to really feel the effect that bulimia had on my body. I had terrible stomach pains and even fainted a few times. The effect on my teeth was terrible—decay had begun to set in and eat away at my teeth, turning them brown. In addition, the bulimia wore away at my tooth enamel so much, that my teeth bad began to chip and turn translucent, making them very sensitive.
Today I am receiving help to overcome this disease. Months of therapy were necessary. Although I feel like I have turned my life around, it is still a constant struggle. I had to have crowns put on my front teeth and will need extensive dental work in the future. Dr. Hurley has done a beautiful job in working on my teeth, however, it is still a work in progress. Bulimia is one of the most difficult addictions to overcome—mainly because food is essential to survive. I hope my story helps others with bulimia reach out for help in getting through this addiction. – Amanda
Suzanne’s Bulimia Story
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| Suzanne Before | Suzanne After |
Hello, my name is Suzanne. I am 38 years old and I am a recovering bulimic. You see I was bulimic for 18 years. All of my time and energy was devoted to binging and purging. I knew no other place. For 18 years I was trapped in a sad lonely bulimic place, trying to hide it from my husband and the rest of the word. I was exhausted, miserable and desperate for help. That help came the moment I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter. At that very moment I vowed to myself to be binge and purge free for 9 months. Those 9 months were extremely hard but I thanked God everyday for that life changing moment.
Bulimia sucked the life out of me and now I was desperately ready to start a new chapter of my life as a Mother. My bulimic lifestyle had taken over so much of my life, so much time; it caused so much anxiety, and produced so much unhappiness. I just couldn’t go back there. Especially with my baby girl in my life. So 9 months of binge/purge free has now turned into 4 years! But please know that each and every day I still struggle.
Once I began to really feel free from the bulimia, when I realized there was more to life than just kitchens and bathrooms, I knew there was a life outside waiting for me. I needed and wanted to fill my time with something else. But I just couldn’t. Although I was recovering, I was still haunted by my past. I abused my teeth everyday for so long. Every time I looked in the mirror all I could see was my deteriorating smile. My teeth looked worn, ragged, thinning, chipping, and discolored. I was fearful and self conscious about my teeth all of the time.
Dr. Hurley’s work changed my life. Soon after my smile was restored I realized how long it had been since I had allowed myself to really smile. I am forever grateful to Dr. Hurley and her dentistry for restoring my confidence and with that the course of my life. Now I can’t stop smiling.
A word to Dr. Hurley and her office staff:
“It took a long time for me to have the courage to pursue dental restorations. It meant I had to have the confidence and trust to admit to a Dentist that I was bulimic. I “Googled” Top Cosmetic Dentists in New Jersey and was extremely lucky to have found Dr. Hurley. As soon as I walked into her office and met her for the first time, I knew immediately that Dr. Hurley was the one I wanted to complete my restorations. I felt safe with Dr. Hurley and her staff in a warm and nurturing non-judgmental environment. She and her office staff have treated me with respect and dignity throughout the entire labor-intensive process. Each time I walk into the office I feel like “Suzanne” not just some bulimic patient. I am forever grateful to Dr. Hurley and her staff for giving me back my smile. They have been incredible in working with me to schedule appointments around my busy work schedule, and have always seen me promptly at my appointment time.” Thank you – Suzanne