Bulimia Ravages Oral Health
Patients suffering from bulimia may be able to hide the disorder
from friends, family and coworkers, but it’s not as easy
to keep it hidden from dentists. Changes inside the mouth
of a bulimic patient may be detected during the course of
a routine examination. This places dental professionals in
a position to be among the first to detect this harmful disorder.
Bulimia is a serious eating disorder characterized by episodes
of compulsive binge eating followed by purging behaviors such
as self-induced vomiting. This destructive cycle brings stomach
acids in contact with the mouth and teeth, causing erosion
of tooth enamel. The problem is usually most damaging to the
front teeth, leading to severely decayed teeth and foul breath.
"Oral examinations of bulimic patients may reveal eroded
teeth, fillings that are raised above the tooth surface, dry
mouth and related oral problems," said Roger Smith, DDS,
dental director, Delta Dental of Michigan. Bulimic practices
result in poor nutrition and hormonal changes that can also
affect the bones that support teeth.
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Five million Americans suffer from eating disorders
National Institute of Mental Health
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Twenty-eight percent of bulimia cases are first diagnosed
during dental exams
Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals and the Institute of
Dental Research
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Fifteen percent of young women have substantially disordered
eating attitudes and behaviors
National Eating Disorders Screening Program
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Two to three percent of adolescent women develop bulimia
U.S. Surgeon General
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