Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOral Effects of BulimiaSignsBeginning RecoveryAt-Home Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Oral Effects of Bulimia
Signs
Beginning Recovery
At-Home Treatment
A common side effect of self-induced vomiting is called bulimia teeth. Bulimia teeth describes a variety of oral health problems including enamel erosion, tooth and gum sensitivity, cavities, and more.
This article discusses how bulimia can affect your dental health, as well as ways you can protect your teeth from damage.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Signs and Treatments for Different Eating Disorders
This repeated process of self-induced vomiting causes dental problems include tooth erosion, tooth sensitivity and pain,xerostomia(dry mouth), and increased risk ofcavitiesandgum disease.
Teeth and Gums
One study reported that patients who self-induce vomiting were 5.5 times more likely to experiencedental erosioncompared with healthy individuals without bulimia nervosa.That’s because vomiting after a binge also brings large amounts of stomach acid into the mouth. The acid can break down and wear away toothenamel, the hard outer layer of teeth that protects from decay, sensitivity, and fractures.
Salivary Glands
While vomiting brings stomach acid into the mouth which damages the teeth, saliva has a protective factor. Saliva helps to wash away, dilute, and neutralize the acid, which protects the teeth from acidic damage.
Unfortunately, a common side effect of frequent vomiting is the enlargement of salivary glands which reduces the amount of saliva that is made.
Additionally, many people with bulimia also suffer fromdehydration, either from fluid restriction, excessive exercise, or medications. Dehydration further reduces saliva production and contributes to both erosion and xerostomia.
Cavities
During binge periods, many people with bulimia nervosa choose high-energy, sugary foods that are normally restricted. Those who consumer more sugary foods often show more dental erosion.A study showed that on average, people with bulimia consumed 21% more carbohydrates than average, which contribute to the development of cavities.
7 Ways to Prevent Cavities
The Signs of Bulimia Teeth
Self-induced vomiting, the most common purging behavior for individuals with bulimia nervosa, can cause serious dental problems.
Signs of bulimia teeth can start within six months of binging and purging behavior, which is why dental professionals are often the first to catch the signs. Some of the telltale signs of bulimia teeth include:
Accepting Help and Beginning Recovery
If you are experiencing symptoms of dental problems related to bulimia nervosa, it is important to seek information aboutoral health care. It is very common to feel shame, embarrassment, awkwardness, or fear, but seeking help as soon as possible from qualified oral health professionals can help to minimize and/or repair oral damage.
In addition to oral health professionals, a multidisciplinary team is required to help treat bulimia nervosa. Treatment may includepsychotherapists, nutrition counselors, and medications to aid in recovery from bulimia nervosa. Early intervention can help improve prognosis for people with bulimia nervosa.
How Bulimia Is Treated
Helping Someone With Bulimia NervosaMany people with bulimia nervosa want to keep their illness hidden because of the shame and guilt associated with the disease. If you suspect that someone may have bulimia nervosa, it is important to approach the conversation gently and in a way that builds trust. Use a non-confrontational approach, ask questions without judgment or assumptions, and express compassion. When it is appropriate, refer them to an eating disorder specialist.
Helping Someone With Bulimia Nervosa
Many people with bulimia nervosa want to keep their illness hidden because of the shame and guilt associated with the disease. If you suspect that someone may have bulimia nervosa, it is important to approach the conversation gently and in a way that builds trust. Use a non-confrontational approach, ask questions without judgment or assumptions, and express compassion. When it is appropriate, refer them to an eating disorder specialist.
Treating Bulimia Teeth
Dentists are able to treat any present conditions, such as filling cavities, repairing broken teeth, caring for gums, and providing any appropriate prescriptions such as special mouthwashes for dry mouth or enamel strengthening toothpaste. If there has already been significant damage to the oral cavity, dentists can help provide a treatment plan to help repair teeth and gums.
A survey showed that while many patients with bulimia teeth acknowledged dental problems, less than a third of discussed these issues with a dentist.However, your dentist may be the first healthcare provider to see the signs of self-induced vomiting and provide oral hygiene instructions to minimize further damage.
Can Dentists Tell if You’ve Been Binging or Purging?Dental practitioners who have been trained can pick up on early warning signs of binging and purging. However, more education for dental practitioners are needed.One study found that less than half of dentists and dental hygienists consistently assess patients for the oral implications of eating disorders and less than half of patients suspected of having eating disorders were provided with relevant dental care instructions.
Can Dentists Tell if You’ve Been Binging or Purging?
Dental practitioners who have been trained can pick up on early warning signs of binging and purging. However, more education for dental practitioners are needed.One study found that less than half of dentists and dental hygienists consistently assess patients for the oral implications of eating disorders and less than half of patients suspected of having eating disorders were provided with relevant dental care instructions.
Dental practitioners who have been trained can pick up on early warning signs of binging and purging. However, more education for dental practitioners are needed.
One study found that less than half of dentists and dental hygienists consistently assess patients for the oral implications of eating disorders and less than half of patients suspected of having eating disorders were provided with relevant dental care instructions.
Which Mouthwash Is Best for You?
Dental care can be expensive, especially if there is extensive damage that must be repaired. If you’re afraid to see dentist because of the cost, you may be able to find free or low-cost options.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends a variety of resources, including:
During recovery, it is difficult to immediately cease binging and purging behavior. That being said, there are some steps that you can take at home to help reduce the damage to your teeth and oral health:
Are Bulimia Teeth Preventable?Drinking water before vomiting may offer some protection but the negative effects of frequent vomiting on dental and oral health are generally not preventable. The only way to prevent further damage is to stop binging and purging behavior.
Are Bulimia Teeth Preventable?
Drinking water before vomiting may offer some protection but the negative effects of frequent vomiting on dental and oral health are generally not preventable. The only way to prevent further damage is to stop binging and purging behavior.
Summary
Bulimia teeth is a serious and irreversible condition that can develop within six months of the onset of bulimia nervosa. Dental problems associated with repeated vomiting include increased cavities, sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks, dry mouth, enamel erosion, and swelling of the salivary glands. Treatment of bulimia teeth involves working with a dental health provider that you trust can help support you to minimize oral and dental damage during recovery and prevent long term damage.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GKW.The medical complications associated with purging.International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Conviser JH, Fisher SD, Mitchell KB.Oral care behavior after purging in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa.The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2014;145(4):352-354. doi:10.14219/jada.2014.5Rosten A, Newton T.The impact of bulimia nervosa on oral health: A review of the literature.Br Dent J. 2017;223(7):533-539. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.837Garbin CAS, Martins RJ, de Melo Belila N, Garbin AJÍ.Oral manifestations in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a systematic review.J Public Health (Berl). 2019;28(6):765-771. doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01080-6Mehler PS, Rylander M.Bulimia Nervosa – medical complications.Journal of Eating Disorders. 2015;3(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40337-015-0044-4US Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GKW.The medical complications associated with purging.International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Conviser JH, Fisher SD, Mitchell KB.Oral care behavior after purging in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa.The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2014;145(4):352-354. doi:10.14219/jada.2014.5Rosten A, Newton T.The impact of bulimia nervosa on oral health: A review of the literature.Br Dent J. 2017;223(7):533-539. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.837Garbin CAS, Martins RJ, de Melo Belila N, Garbin AJÍ.Oral manifestations in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a systematic review.J Public Health (Berl). 2019;28(6):765-771. doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01080-6Mehler PS, Rylander M.Bulimia Nervosa – medical complications.Journal of Eating Disorders. 2015;3(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40337-015-0044-4US Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GKW.The medical complications associated with purging.International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Conviser JH, Fisher SD, Mitchell KB.Oral care behavior after purging in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa.The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2014;145(4):352-354. doi:10.14219/jada.2014.5Rosten A, Newton T.The impact of bulimia nervosa on oral health: A review of the literature.Br Dent J. 2017;223(7):533-539. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.837Garbin CAS, Martins RJ, de Melo Belila N, Garbin AJÍ.Oral manifestations in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a systematic review.J Public Health (Berl). 2019;28(6):765-771. doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01080-6Mehler PS, Rylander M.Bulimia Nervosa – medical complications.Journal of Eating Disorders. 2015;3(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40337-015-0044-4US Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?
Forney KJ, Buchman-Schmitt JM, Keel PK, Frank GKW.The medical complications associated with purging.International Journal of Eating Disorders. 2016;49(3):249-259. doi:10.1002/eat.22504
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Conviser JH, Fisher SD, Mitchell KB.Oral care behavior after purging in a sample of women with bulimia nervosa.The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2014;145(4):352-354. doi:10.14219/jada.2014.5
Rosten A, Newton T.The impact of bulimia nervosa on oral health: A review of the literature.Br Dent J. 2017;223(7):533-539. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.837
Garbin CAS, Martins RJ, de Melo Belila N, Garbin AJÍ.Oral manifestations in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a systematic review.J Public Health (Berl). 2019;28(6):765-771. doi:10.1007/s10389-019-01080-6
Mehler PS, Rylander M.Bulimia Nervosa – medical complications.Journal of Eating Disorders. 2015;3(1):12. doi:10.1186/s40337-015-0044-4
US Department of Health and Human Services.Where can I find low-cost dental care?
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