Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome: Recurring And Unexplained Episodes Destroy Teeth

CVS mainly affects children, and is something of which parents should be aware. According to a recent report in the November/December 2006 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry's (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal, CVS is characterized by a number of symptoms, the most evident being recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting that are not caused by any specific disease and occur between periods of otherwise normal health.

The study's author, Eric T. Stoopler, DMD, says that the disorder generally lasts between two and six years and fortunately commonly resolves during adolescence. With regard to oral health, CVS affects the mouth and teeth in similar ways to diseases associated with chronic vomiting, such as bulimia, gastritis, or peritonitis, and can cause tooth sensitivity and erosion, caries, periodontal disease, xerostomia, salivary gland enlargement, and trauma to the oral tissue.

So what can parents do? Dr. Stoopler advises parents to watch for anything unusual and to make sure both the child's pediatrician and dentist are informed. "If an otherwise healthy child develops chronic episodes of severe nausea and vomiting in conjunction with systemic, gastrointestinal, urologic and/or neurologic symptoms, parents should consult with a pediatrician. If a child's dentist obtains a medical history that is suggestive of CVS, the patient should be referred to a pediatrician for further evaluation."

CVS: What to look for

• Nausea and/or vomiting not caused by any specific disease
• Lethargy
• Headaches
• Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) and photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Vertigo (a dizzy or spinning sensation)
• Ulcers or infections in the mouth

The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 35,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs. Learn more about AGD member dentists or find more information on dental health topics at http://www.agd.org/consumer.