Help by St Paul Dentist to Cope with Eating Disorders such as Anorexia and Bulimia
Much has been written about the eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia, because of its epidemic proportions. Our clinical experience has been with bulimic patients and the following is a synopsis of our experiences. Most bulimic patients are young women (late teens to mid twenties), however, it was estimated in March 2003 that 10% of all patients with an eating disorder are over 30 years of age.
The initial diagnosis of the bulimic is often times made in the dental office. The continual exposure of the teeth to purged stomach acids will often result in the mild to severe loss of enamel of the teeth. This loss of enamel in bulimics is quite characteristic, and it is not unusual for the patient with an eating disorder to deny their problem. We feel it is our responsibility to discuss this problem with the appropriate family member, so that proper medical help can be obtained. My role as a St Paul Dentist is to treat the symptoms, not the disease of an eating disorder. So what are the dental symptoms of bulimia and the subsequent treatment?
Usually patients with an eating disorder will complain of severe sensitivity to hot, cold, or sometimes just normal temperature food or liquids. Occasionally, the purging will destroy enough enamel that spaces will develop between the teeth and a cosmetic issue will arise (please see Steph in our Then and Now section of this website). As you can imagine, teeth without the protective enamel layer are also highly susceptible to decay.
We′ve had good success with following treatment sequence for bulimic patients. Bonding of a temporary cosmetic plastic material will usually decrease the sensitivity dramatically as well as improve the smile. While these materials are still subject to destruction by the stomach acids, they are easily repairable. When the patient later has sought and been given proper medical attention, and is free of the eating disorder, we can then make a more permanent dental smile with materials that can last 15—20 years or more.
Dr Stephen R Bjorklund DDS, Cosmetic Dentist - Providing services in Teeth Whitening, One Appointment Crowns, and Extreme Makeover Dentistry to the areas of Minneapolis, St Paul, and Wayzata Minnesota.
250 North Central, Suite 111 Wayzata, MN 55391
Ph. 952-475-1997, Fx. 952-475-3978
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