Anorexia and Bulimia: The impacts of these eating disorders on our oral and physical health.
The impacts of eating disorders reach far and wide. Ravaging our bodies and minds, impacting our emotional, physical, and psychological selves. They intrude in on our lives and the lives of those around us by manipulating our behaviours and actions; impacting how we act, how we treat others, and the ways in which we show up every day.
Eating disorders are most often associated with the physical impacts that some of them have on our bodies, most specifically the extreme weight loss that is a result of most especially Anorexia. Extreme weight loss can be incredibly dangerous for the body and result in severe side effects.
A lesser-known side effect of particular eating disorders, specifically Anorexia and Bulimia, however, are the impacts they have on our oral health. Oral health encapsulates so much more than if we have a cavity or how white our teeth are, it can indicate the health of our entire bodies and refers to our gums as well.
Those with eating disorders are often discreet and try to hide their actions for as long as possible, removing potential judgment and criticism that they may receive as a result of their eating disorder. However, it is quite common that individuals visit the dentist in regular intervals. Therefore, this provides oral care professionals with a unique insight into the well-being of our entire bodies, and not just our teeth.
Below is a list of potential side effects Anorexia and Bulimia may have on our teeth, which is why oral care professionals are sometimes the first people to spot an eating disorder.
- Tooth decay
- Tooth enamel erosion
- Gum pain / bleeding gums
- Dry mouth
- Chronic sore throat
- Inflamed esophagus
- Tender mouth, throat, and salivary glands
- Teeth that are worn and appear almost translucent
- Palatal hemorrhages
- Decreased saliva production
- Enlarged parotid glands
- Problems swallowing
- Jaw alignment abnormalities
- Cracked lips
- Sensitive teeth
- Mouth sore
How do eating disorders damage your teeth?
To some, the connection between eating disorders and oral health may be obscure, however according to Dr. Matthew Stover, DMD, “one of the first signs that a patient may be suffering from an eating disorder is the thinning of the enamel on the lingual mandibular incisors, otherwise known as your front teeth. Purging causes stomach acid to travel through the mouth, and this acid erodes the backside of the front teeth quite heavily. Erosion that takes place in the tooth’s enamel, which is the protective part of the tooth, can cause sensitivity, thinning and chipping.” Furthermore, Dr. Stover elaborates that “strong stomach acids can soften tooth enamel, and by vigorously brushing, the tooth enamel may scratch causing further damage,” “Instead, I advise patients to immediately rinse their mouths with regular tap water to help remove acids or rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash, which will provide additional protection against stomach acids. Patients should wait at least an hour after purging before brushing their teeth.”
What are signs of an eating disorder in the mouth?
According to Meadows Ranch, an eating disorder treatment center for women and the Institute of Dental Research, “28% of bulimia cases are first diagnosed during a dental exam.”
Below are oral warnings signs an eating disorder is present:
- Tooth decay
- Tooth enamel erosion
- Gum pain / bleeding gums
- Dry mouth
- Chronic sore throat
- Inflamed esophagus
- Tender mouth, throat, and salivary glands
- Teeth that are worn and appear almost translucent
- Palatal hemorrhages
- Decreased saliva production
- Enlarged parotid glands
- Problems swallowing
- Jaw alignment abnormalities
- Cracked lips
- Sensitive teeth
- Mouth sores
What is treatment for damaged teeth as a result of an eating disorder?
Eating disorders do not need to be a permanent fixture in one’s life, therefore the damage caused to our oral health as a result of eating disorders can be reversed with proper care and time. Seeking the help of professionals to intervene and encourage recovery will naturally increase the health of our teeth. As we slowly recover from our eating disorder, so too will our teeth.
Related Article: Anorexia into Bulimia
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you lose your teeth from Anorexia?
A: Although losing teeth is not an immediate side effect of eating disorders, an individual who suffers from Anorexia for an extended period of time is under-nourishing their body. Perpetual undernourishment can lead to oral health challenges, with a potential side effect of tooth decay or tooth loss.
Q: How does not eating affect our teeth?
A: According to HMSA Dental, “an eating disorder may cause temporary or permanent damage to your teeth and mouth. Self-starvation or bingeing and purging often leads to a deficiency of calcium, iron, and vitamin D, as well as other nutrients that are needed for good dental health.” The impacts are not felt immediately; however, it does not take long for problems to arise in our body as a result of our lack of vitamins and minerals.”
Q: Can dentists tell if an individual has Anorexia?
A: Not all poor oral health is a result of an eating disorder. However, there are definitive signs that a dentist may notice when performing a routine oral exam that may indicate an eating disorder is potentially present. However, a dentist is not the health care professional who will be diagnosing and therefore treating an eating disorder if one has been identified.
Dr. Natalie Mulligan
Dr. Natalie Mulligan graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). She completed her clinical internship at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic with a focused interest in mental health. Prior to attending CCNM, she completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Waterloo.