Dr. John Kinsley, DDS of Rocky River, Ohio Helps Patients Recover from Bulimia by Restoring Their Smiles
Bulimia is a very damaging condition that can hurt many aspects of a person’s life. It impacts the emotional, mental and physical well-being of those who struggle with it. Thankfully, when taking steps towards recovery, there are plenty of resources available to aid in the healing process of those affected. Rocky River, Ohio's Dr. John Kinsley aims to help those patients recovering from Bulimia by repairing the damage done to their smiles.
The purging aspect of bulimia can do considerable damage to a patient’s tooth enamel. Enamel is the hardest substance in the body. It's main job is to protect the tooth from normal chewing function. Enamel is typically about 1 to 2 millimeters thick. Underneath the outer-protective layer of enamel is the softer, more pourous and sensitive body of the tooth called "DENTIN". The enamel layer can wear away from such things as tooth grinding, acid erosion (soda pop, lemons and stomach acids) or both. As enamel wears, the sensitive and decay-prone dentin becomes exposed. Exposed dentin wears 8 to 10 times faster than enamel! The teeth become highly susceptible to cavities, severe wear, abcesses, fracture, tooth loss, shifting teeth, bite collapse (or overclosed-more aged look), TMJ/headache problems and periodontal gum problems. With bulimia, the teeth are subjected to harsh corrosion due to powerful digestive acids that enter the mouth when vomiting. Although acid from various foods and beverages is damaging to teeth, DIGESTIVE ACIDS are much more potent and corrosive. When they regularly come in contact with the teeth, they greatly wear down the enamel, much more so than eating and drinking naturally acidic substances like citrus fruits or soda pop and sports drinks. Often the end result of frequent vomiting over time is a mouth riddled with serious problems. In some severe cases, the lacking nutrition leaves the body’s healing process weak and unable to fend against common diseases. Some patients who have struggled with bulimia for long periods of time end up losing some or all of their teeth.
If you’re recovering from bulimia, whether it’s a problem you’ve dealt with for a short time or struggled with over a long period, Dr. Kinsley urges you to seek help from all angles. That includes your emotional and dietary health, but also your dental health.
Dr. John Kinsley can help Rocky River, OH patients recovering from bulimia by filling cavities, treating damage to the enamel and gums, and, in severe cases, restoring and replacing teeth as needed. Even for those patients without obvious damage to their mouth, a thorough dental examination should be completed to ensure periodontal disease isn’t present and that small, unnoticeable problems don’t escalate into painful and costly issues.
To set up an appointment for an examination, as well as restorative procedures to help in your aid in recovery, visit www.rockyriverdentist.com or call 440-331-8691. Dr. Kinsley is committed to providing optimal dental care to patients throughout Rocky River, Cleveland, Bay Village, Fairview, Lakewood, Westlake, Avon Lake and surrounding Ohio neighborhoods.
