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Bulimia is a condition where a person takes a large amount of food within a short period and then try to compensate for the food eaten through activities such as vomiting, exercising excessively or using laxatives or diuretics to avoid gaining weight.  Constant cycles of self-induced vomiting and bingeing can greatly affect your kidneys, heart, and other body organs. However, what most people do not know is that this habit can also affect your oral health. When you vomit, high amounts of stomach acids are brought up into your mouth. The acids help in breaking down of food in your stomach so that your body can absorb it. However, when the acids come into your mouth, they can corrode and wear down the enamel which covers and offers protection to your teeth. Read on, to learn how Bulimia can affect your oral health. Bite Problems As the teeth continue to wear down, they change the way they fit together. Your back teeth are more prone to long-term erosion, and they may even fall out over time. Once this occurs, your bite may become painful and uncomfortable. This may happen about 3-4 years into constant vomiting. Yellow and Brittle Teeth You may note a change in the colour and texture of your teeth as the erosion gets worse. Also, it is common for the teeth to become weaker and more brittle. They tend to crack easily and may look uneven at the bottom. In some cases, they can take on a glassy appearance or turn to a yellowish colour. Dental Cavities Vomit is full of stomach acids which are highly corrosive and can affect your tooth enamel, thus resulting in a hole in or between your teeth. Mouth Sores Similar to how stomach acids erode the tooth enamel, they can also wear away tissues on the sides and roof of your mouth. As a result, they leave painful sores in your mouth, and the throat as the acids pass through the oesophagus going into your mouth. Less Saliva Less saliva production can lead to numerous oral health problems such as a dry mouth. Saliva and oral hydration are important to your mouth’s health. Stomach acids can irritate your salivary glands hence leading to trouble in swallowing. Additionally, saliva helps to protect your teeth from decay, and its absence can worsen the cavities that have already been caused by erosion. Pain When your tooth enamel gets eroded, it exposes the sensitive inner part of your teeth, and this may cause your teeth to hurt. Also, some people experience teeth sensitivity and pain every time they eat hot or cold food. Bottom Line The first step when it comes to preventing your teeth from bulimia is to seek treatment. It is only when your condition gets treated that provisional dental care may be undertaken. While restorative dental work will undoubtedly be a step towards healing from bulimia, you can as well address the root cause of your eating disorder by obtaining complete care for your mind and body. If you wish to talk to a dentist about bulimia tooth damage, feel free to contact our dentists at Springvale Dental Clinic. Our dentists are always willing and ready to help.  

Gum disease or periodontal disease is an oral condition that affects millions of people in Australia. According to research, 26.8% of people in Australia had gum diseases. Moreover, most people affected by this condition are above the age of 30. Research has linked periodontal disease to a number of systemic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The systemic disease is a term used to refer to health conditions that affect different organs of the body. This article takes a look at the connection that exists between some of the systemic diseases and periodontal disease. Stroke According to research done in Germany back in 2004, periodontal disease increases the risk of ischemic stroke, especially for men who are under the age of 60. Ischemic stroke is a kind of condition that occurs due to blocked blood vessels that transports blood to the brain. Periodontal disease can harden the arteries and limit blood from reaching the brain. Health experts agree that controlling the periodontal disease can reduce the risk of certain types of stroke. Diabetes Research shows that people who have diabetes are more likely to develop periodontal disease and lose teeth out of condition compared to people who don’t have diabetes. In addition, periodontal disease could have adverse consequences when it comes to the ability of the body to regulate the glucose level. If the body is unable to regulate glucose levels which as basically sugars, it gives oral bacteria a conducive environment to thrive. Health experts agree that regulating the levels of sugars in the body can decrease the risk of gum disease as well as other complications in the body associated with diabetes. Heart Disease Periodontal disease has also been linked to heart disease due to several reasons. First, the periodontal disease contributes to hardening of the arteries as mentioned above, which is a symptom of gum disease. Second is that periodontal disease reduces blood to the heat, which can result in an attack or even stroke. Also, due to the fact that periodontal disease involves harbouring bacteria beneath the gum line, it can result in having them travel to the heart through the blood stream. Experts say that good dental hygiene decreases the risk of heart disease. Breast Cancer Research has it that women who have periodontal disease have a 14% increased risk of developing breast cancer. The percentage escalates to 30% if the woman is a smoker or have smoked within the last two decades. However, experts are still doing more research to establish the exact connection between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Bottom Line Your mouth is the entry point of many bacteria that affects the body. Therefore, taking care of your oral health will guarantee you a reduced risk of many systemic and oral diseases. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once. More importantly, make sure that you schedule regular dental visits to your dentist. If you have any of the systemic diseases mentioned above or you suspect that you may be suffering from periodontal disease, visit us at Springvale Dental Clinic. Our dentist will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best treatment for you.

Over the years, getting your teeth straightened meant that you would have to endure the agony of having a mouthful of brackets and metal wires. The brackets and metal wires were uncomfortable,andthe patient also faced the risk of developing other dental problems along the way. However, with the development of dentistry technology, straightening your teeth has now become much easier. Invisalign is the latest dental technology that helps you straighten your teeth with much ease. Read on to find out how Invisalign can help you get a better smile. The Process First things first, before you can know how Invisalign will help you better you smile, it is important that you first get to learn about the process of getting them. The first step involves choosing the dentist that will help you go through the process. You can get referrals from family and friend or search for the best dentist online in your area. The next step is the first consultation. After the consultation, the dentist will use a 3D scanner to get the image of your teeth. After scanning, the dentist will be in a position to tell how long you will have to wear the braces to experience a positive result. You will then have to schedule another appointment to give your dentist a chance to make braces for you that will fit perfectly. It is recommended that you wear the aligners most part of the day and only remove them while carrying out your daily dental hygiene measures and while eating. How Invisalign Can Help You Get a Better Smile Clear Aligners Invisalign are invisible to most people. No one will know that you are wearing the appliances unless you choose to let them know. Traditional metal braces were noticeable, and everyone would know that you are trying to correct a defect with your teeth. People wearing metal braces are always ridiculed or are often a subject of the joke. You can avoid all these with Invisalign while still maintaining a better, brighter smile. Temporary and Removable The other reason where Invisalign aligners are the best option over the metal braces is that they are removable. When metal braces are attached to your teeth by the dentist, they will remain there until you make another dental visit for their removal. With Invisalign, you have the freedom to take them out whenever you feel like doing it. The treatment contains a set of aligners that you will have to wear fortnightly. Therefore, they can be easily taken out and replaced. Painless Braces Another reason that braces help you improve the appearance of your smile is that they are painless while wearing. Metal braces are known to cause pain and discomfort to the patient. There are no such problems when it comes to Invisalign. Although you might feel some minor discomfort while the teeth start shifting back in place, Invisalign is still considered to be painless compared to metal braces. Bottom Line If you are looking to straighten your teeth comfortably without going through the hustles that come with traditional braces, then Invisalign is the way to go. At Springvale Dental Clinic, we offer guidance and expert recommendations to help you achieve the best version of your smile. Give us a call or visit our practice today!