Eating disorders (EDs) affect every part of a person’s being—often in ways we don’t immediately see. One of the most overlooked is the serious toll they take on oral health, namely in individuals who experience bulimia and long periods of undernutrition due to disordered eating.1 These resulting oral effects of eating disorders serve as daily reminders for those with eating disorders.
Dental professionals are uniquely positioned to identify the oral manifestations of eating disorders. For example, in disorders like bulimia, the repeated purging of stomach acids can erode tooth enamel, leading to long-term dental damage. 4 Eating disorders can also cause dry mouth, enlarged salivary glands, cracked/dry lips, mouth sores, tooth decay, and sensitive teeth.4 While there are educational interventions in oral health professional education for eating disorders, there is little to no evidence showing that eating disorder training and guidelines are being implemented in training programs.3 Dental practitioners might not be the ones to officially diagnose or treat eating disorders, but they can most definitely identify the signs and offer support and a space for the patient to feel supported while also providing resources.
For those who have experienced an eating disorder, the effects extend far beyond just the physical—they touch every aspect of life, both mentally and emotionally. The isolating nature of these conditions makes them particularly difficult to navigate, but if we can better equip personnel in different areas, it may not be so isolating. Dental professionals and future dental professionals have a responsibility, not only to educate themselves on the oral impacts of eating disorders and to provide compassionate support where possible, but also to advocate for a better implementation of educational interventions in training programs. This is more than just a professional challenge—it’s a call to action.
References
- Hasan S, Ahmed S, Panigrahi R, Chaudhary P, Vyas V, Saeed S. Oral cavity and eating disorders: An insight to holistic health. J Family Med Prim Care. 2020;9(8):3890.
- Silverstein LS, Haggerty C, Sams L, Phillips C, Roberts MW. Impact of an oral health education intervention among a group of patients with eating disorders (anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa). J Eat Disord. 2019 Dec;7(1):29.
- Presskreischer R, Prado MA, Kuraner SE, Arusilor IM, Pike K. Eating disorders and oral health: a scoping review. J Eat Disord. 2023 Apr 4;11(1):55.
- Johansson A, Norring C, Unell L, Johansson A. Eating disorders and oral health: a matched case–control study. European J Oral Sciences. 2012 Feb;120(1):61–8.
By Wehazit Mussie
Wehazit Mussie is a research assistant in the Living F.R.E.E. Lab.
