In our last post, we talked about how anorexia and bulimia nervosa can have a significant impact on your oral health. The most well-known effects include tooth loss, erosion of the enamel on the “tongue side” of teeth, and jagged edges on the biting surfaces of the top teeth.

If you struggle with an eating disorder, then you may already be familiar with some of these. But if you’re looking for warning signs that a loved one is struggling, you may not know what these effects might look like.

That is why, for today’s post, we are presenting these photographs from a genuine case study.

In this first photograph, notice the thin, jagged edges on the biting surfaces of the teeth.

The next picture shows the patient’s teeth from the inside.

From this angle, it is easy to see what teeth look like when the enamel has worn off over time due to their exposure to stomach acid.

In this last photo, it is possible to see how treatment from Houston Uptown Dentists can improve a smile affected by an eating disorder.

We believe that treatment can and should begin during recovery in order to protect teeth. If a patient is diagnosed and treated at an early stage, enamel loss may be replaced with tooth colored materials known as composite resins. These are sculpted into place, duplicating or improving the appearance of the missing enamel. In other cases, more extensive treatment may be needed, such as overlays, crowns, or veneers.

If you would like more information or know someone else who would, please call our Houston office today. We would be happy to schedule a personal and confidential dental evaluation. We are passionate about helping patients restore their smiles and fight against eating disorders.