It’s not uncommon for dentists to be the first medical practitioner to diagnose an eating disorder. Approximately 28 percent of patients suffering from bulimia are first diagnosed during a dental exam, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
What are 2 major complications from anorexia nervosa?
- Anemia.
- Heart problems, such as mitral valve prolapse, abnormal heart rhythms or heart failure.
- Bone loss (osteoporosis), increasing the risk of fractures.
- Loss of muscle.
- In females, absence of a period.
- In males, decreased testosterone.
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloating or nausea.
What happens to your teeth when you have anorexia?
Acid erosion on teeth may also cause enamel to chip or crack more easily. Anorexia may manifest as dental decay, receding gums, or loose teeth. Other oral symptoms of eating disorders include mouth sores, cracked or dry lips, bleeding gums, chronic dry mouth, enlarged salivary glands, and bad breath.
How does anorexia affect your gums?
The Effects of Oral Hygiene on Eating Disorders With AN, there is typically a deficiency of nutrition, and that can cause the gums and tissue within the mouth to bleed more easily. An individual may also see increased saliva, dry mouth, and swelling within the mouth.
What are three long-term effects of anorexia?
- Bone weakening (osteoporosis).
- Anemia.
- Seizures.
- Thyroid problems.
- Lack of vitamins and minerals.
- Low potassium levels in the blood.
- Decrease in white blood cells.
- Amenorrhea (absence of menstruation in females).
What is a likely long-term consequence of anorexia?
In severe cases, the long-term health risks of anorexia may result in suffering nerve damage that affects the brain and other parts of the body. As a result, these nervous system conditions can include: Seizures. Disordered thinking. Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy)
Can Dentists tell if you have anorexia?
Often patients with eating disorders are embarrassed to see their dentist because of oral issues they may be experiencing. Bad breath, sensitive teeth and tooth erosion are just a few of the signs that dentists use to determine whether a patient suffers from an eating disorder.
Does not eating enough affect your teeth?
If you don’t eat a healthy diet, you’re likely to suffer from more cavities. There are two reasons for this. A healthy, nutrient-rich diet helps you maintain strong teeth. And, the fact is, a poor diet is what actually encourages tooth decay.
Can Undereating cause tooth decay?
Undereating and Bulimia When you aren’t getting enough nutrients, such as vitamin D, vitamin C, and iron, the risks of gum disease and tooth decay become higher. Another eating disorder called bulimia, involves purging.
Can anorexia cause periodontitis?
Anorexia nervosa patients are more periodontally affected than BN patients. They should be considered at higher risk for gingivitis and gingival recessions than BN patients.
Does anorexia cause tooth pain?
Tooth sensitivity – People with anorexia nervosa often develop an increased reactivity to temperatures, especially to cold. Their teeth can also become very temperature-sensitive, due to enamel loss.
Can you get yellow teeth from anorexia?
Over time the erosion on the front of the teeth may become noticeable, and teeth will often appear thin, yellow, shiny and even transparent near the tips. Tooth erosion is experienced by nearly 89% of individuals with bulimia; it may also be evident in individuals with anorexia.
Which is a complication resulting from anorexia nervosa that is considered irreversible?
Bone loss. A serious and possibly irreversible complication of AN that correlates with the presence of sarcopenia is the loss of bone mineral density and a proclivity toward early development of osteopenia and osteoporosis, even in adolescent patients.
What clinical symptoms of anorexia nervosa should have the highest priority?
Medical: The highest priority in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is addressing any serious health issues that may have resulted from malnutrition. Nutritional: This component encompasses weight restoration, implementation and supervision of a tailored meal plan, and education about normal eating patterns.
Which medical complication is possible with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa is associated with numerous general medical complications that are directly attributable to weight loss and malnutrition [1,2]. The complications affect most major organ systems and often include physiologic disturbances such as hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, and amenorrhea.
When does anorexia become irreversible?
The first victim of anorexia is often the bones. “You’re supposed to be pouring in bone, and you’re losing it instead.” Such bone loss can set in as soon as six months after anorexic behavior begins, and is one of the most irreversible complications of the disease.
What are two long-term effects of anorexia?
Many individuals who struggle with anorexia have some form of osteopenia or osteoporosis, creating an increased risk of breaks and fractures. Yet other long-term effects for women include loss of normal menstruation, difficulties conceiving, infertility and more.
What is the life expectancy for anorexia?
A study by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) reported the following eating disorder statistics: 5-10% of anorexics die within 10 years after contracting the disease and 18-20% of anorexics will be dead after 20 years.
Which characteristic is very common in individuals with anorexia nervosa?
People who suffer from anorexia nervosa tend to have high levels of harm avoidance, a personality trait characterized by worrying, pessimism, and shyness, and low levels of novelty seeking, which includes impulsivity and preferring new or novel things (Fassino et al., 2002).
What is a potential outcome of anorexia If the condition is left untreated?
Long-term lack of nutrition, from calories to vitamins, overwhelms the body and brain. Even in the short term, physical consequences can be severe. Anything from heart failure to the hair falling out might result if disordered eating habits continue and steps aren’t taken to get help.
Which of the following is most likely to be a health consequence of anorexia nervosa?
Health Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower. Reduction of bone density (osteoporosis), which results in dry, brittle bones. Muscle loss and weakness. Severe dehydration, which can result in kidney failure.
What is bulimia face?
When a person has been engaging in self-induced vomiting regularly and they suddenly stop engaging in the behaviour, their salivary glands in front of their ears (cheeks) may begin to swell. This makes their cheeks look swollen.
What does anorexia do to your digestive system?
Stomach Problems in Anorexia Nervosa Common physical effects include gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, acid reflux, frequent bowl movements, indigestion. None of these things are particularly fun but they are all also very normal, and to be expected in recovery.
Can malnutrition cause dental caries?
It can be concluded on the basis of these studies, that malnutrition caused delayed tooth development, it affected the age distribution of dental caries, and it resulted in an increased caries experience. The health of the periodontal tissues is strongly related to the diet.
Does malnutrition cause receding gums?
The first signs of malnutrition in your mouth include tooth decay, inflamed and bleeding gums, and oral infections. However, prolonged malnutrition can lead to severely receding gums, advanced gum disease, bone loss, and tooth loss. All of these conditions can turn around and lead to a worse state of malnutrition.