Some patients end up getting dental implants in Orange County because of severe erosion of their teeth. Dental erosion, which is sometimes referred to as acid erosion or enamel erosion, happens when acids in the mouth soften and remove enamel from the teeth. 

As the dental implants specialist in Mission Viejo clinic points out to us that enamel can’t just grow back, dental erosion is a permanent condition. Fortunately, there are various treatments that can be carried out to cover the eroded surfaces of the teeth and restore a more attractive, stronger, and less sensitive smile.

Bulimia and Acid Erosion

Bulimia is an eating disorder that normally involves a person following a pattern of binging and purging. Although this is a seriously dangerous condition in so many ways, one of the most commonly neglected consequences of bulimia that is seen oftentimes by the dental implants specialist in Orange County is permanent damage to the teeth.   

Bulimics usually experience a burning sensation when they vomit which is a result of stomach acids. These same acids are highly corrosive and can rapidly eliminate surface layers of tooth enamel. 

Men and women who suffer from bulimia are destroying their teeth every time they purge, which could be several times a day and because the damage accumulates over time, each purge escalates the risk for serious oral health problems. 

Bulimia teeth, as some specialists of dental implants in Orange County sometimes referred to, can be recognized in various ways. For instance, individuals who have amalgam fillings may experience erosion in the lower crown of teeth to the point that the metal begins to show above the surface. Additionally, severe yellowing, since the dentin is exposed, is another indication of bulimia teeth. Other tell-tale signs are burns at the side of the mouth, swollen salivary glands, enlarged jowls, and chronic facial pain may also accompany a binge and purge eating disorder.

Apart from the damage that bulimics do to their bodies because of purging, they run a high risk of tooth loss. People struggling with this eating disorder also have a higher risk for their teeth brittle and breaking as well as cracking. On top of that, bite problems that are linked to long-term bulimia can also increase risks for temporomandibular joints (TMJ) of their jaw, change the shape of their jaw, and could end up for the rest of their lives suffering from oral health problems. 

Apart from seeking professional dental help to address the issues regarding their teeth and oral issues the disorder itself has to be addressed too. If a bulimic continues to purge, they can damage the dental restorations and undo all of the work that has been carried out to protect their teeth.

Anorexia Nervosa and Dental Erosion

Anorexia nervosa, or sometimes known as just anorexia, is an eating disorder that follows a pattern of restriction. It is different from bulimia since patients with bulimia restrict their intake of food instead of consuming eat to purge it later. Although this type of deliberate starvation does not necessarily erode teeth with stomach acids, it can lead to serious oral health issues.  

Individuals who suffer from anorexia nervosa usually have nutritional deficiencies. A lack of the appropriate nutrients can lead to rapid tooth decay and increase risks for periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease that normally results in tooth loss. Periodontitis is also linked to increased risks for heart attack and stroke, dementia, liver and kidney failure, and bone necrosis. Anorexics usually experience degenerative arthritis in the jaw as well, which escalates the risks of TMJ and can result in a lifetime of pain.

Other Causes of Dental Erosion

Although eating disorders are very serious and important, they only make up 6% of dental erosion cases. The main causes of enamel erosion are upper GI disorders (acid reflux) and consuming an acidic diet.

You should do your best to avoid foods that contain acids such as citrus, caffeine, malic, tartaric, and so on since they can damage your teeth. This problem gets worse when those foods or beverages are kept in the mouth before being ingested.

Those who suffer from an upper GI disorder can get some much-needed relief through prescription and over-the-counter medications. If you believe you consume a highly acidic diet, you can reduce the damage by drinking through a straw and avoid holding these liquids in the mouth for long periods of time.

Additional causes of dental erosion include:

• Bruxism (tooth grinding)
• Tooth decay
• Dry mouth
• Gum disease
• Excessive and vigorous tooth brushing

Do your best to brush your teeth after eating acidic foods or drinking acidic beverages. It is also important to wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking to brush your teeth. This gives your salvia some time to neutralize the acids and also gives your enamel the opportunity to re-harden.

Treating Dental Erosion

When teeth have eroded, a dental specialist has to cover them to avoid sensitivity, reduce yellowing, and preserve the structure. Here are the most common solutions you can do at Aria Dental:

Porcelain veneers: These veneers are put in front of teeth and are sized, shaped, and colored to fit perfectly into your existing smile. 

Dental bonding: This procedure is applied in layers to eroded teeth, and is used to rebuild the structure, prevent additional damage, and restore allure to the smile. Then the bonding is shaded to match the surrounding teeth for overall appearance.

Dental crowns: These are placed over the entire tooth and its purpose is to cover and protect the underlying structure from even more damage. Similar to veneers, crowns are colored, shaped, and shaded to blend in perfectly with your smile. 

Smile makeover: This is a combination of cosmetic and restorative dental treatments to protect, strengthen, and beautify your entire smile.

At Aria Dental, we aim to preserve your natural teeth for life even if you suffer from an eating disorder and maintain your oral health at an optimum level with holistic and biological approaches.  

We are certified and accredited member IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology), IABDM (International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine), and Holistic Dental Association (HDA)

To schedule your appointment and consult with our holistic and biological dentist, please call us at (949)364-9600 or visit our website: www.AriaDentalCare.com