Living with an eating disorder is not easy. Our goal with this article is to inform you about the link between eating disorders and oral health so that we can help you if you are going through this situation.

Eating disorders include anorexia (restriction of food), bulimia (overeating followed by vomiting or use of laxatives), and orthorexia (extreme control over eating in a healthy way).

How do eating disorders affect oral health?

The first factor to consider is the lack of essential nutrients for good oral health. People restricting their diet may suffer from nutritional deficiencies. A general lack of vitamins and minerals can weaken the gums and other tissues inside the mouth, which can lead to more frequent bleeding and other consequences that are difficult to predict.

Then, in the specific case of repeated vomiting, the rejection of stomach acids erodes tooth enamel. This causes increased sensitivity, thinning and crumbling of the teeth. This can lead to gingivitis and more tooth decay, dentin hypersensitivity. You can also cause a misalignment of orthodontic appliances if you wear them.

In general, the following symptoms can also be observed in patients with eating disorders:

bad breath

Mouth lesions (ulcers)

More sensitive mouth

Dry mouth

Enlarged salivary glands

Chapped lips

Sensitivity to hot or cold

Changes in tooth color, shape, and length

Oral treatments recommended for eating disorders

People with eating disorders frequently visit the dentist for the previously named symptoms. Our dentists and dental hygienists are trained to identify the signs of an eating disorder and to help you treat the symptoms.

Generally speaking, here are the recommended treatments for patients with an eating disorder:

More frequent follow-up appointments (every 6 months) to carefully monitor the evolution of symptoms

Treatments for dry mouth

Treatments for tooth sensitivity

Oral hygiene instructions and tips tailored to your situation

Good to know: if you vomit frequently, it is not recommended to brush your teeth immediately after. This aggravates the negative effects of stomach acid since it helps the spread to all of the teeth. It is rather recommended to wait at least 30 minutes if you want to brush your teeth. In addition, you can rinse your mouth with a neutral solution (baking soda and water) to neutralize the effect of stomach acid.

As with all other patients we meet, the same rules of oral hygiene apply: brushing teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day, as well as flossing daily.

Do not hesitate to make an appointment at our dental clinic in Laval if you are already experiencing any of these symptoms or if you suffer from an eating disorder.