Eating Disorders and Your Teeth: What You Probably Need to Know
- lovassandoruk
- Aug 25
- 2 min read
I think it's well known that bulimia can damage your teeth due to erosion caused by stomach acid coming into contact with them when you purge. However, bulimia isn't the only eating disorder that affects oral health. I never purged, yet I ended up with over 10 cavities while struggling with my eating disorder. Fixing my teeth wasn't a pleasant experience and cost me a small fortune.
Here is a list of oral health problems that eating disorders can cause. For simplicity, I will use the following abbreviations for the eating disorders mentioned in this post:
Anorexia Nervosa (AN)
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Note: This category was replaced by Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED) in the DSM-5.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Oral Health Problems Caused by Eating Disorders
Nutritional Deficiencies and Dental Health: Malnutrition from restrictive eating in AN and ARFID, poor dietary choices in BED, or variable eating behaviors in EDNOS can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining strong teeth and bones. Malnutrition also weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections, including gum disease.
Decreased Saliva Production: Chronic dehydration, common in AN and ARFID due to restricted fluid intake and in BED/EDNOS due to consumption of dehydrating foods, can reduce saliva production and flow (xerostomia). This increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, since saliva helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
Acid Erosion from Purging: Self-induced vomiting in AN or EDNOS exposes teeth to stomach acid, causing dental erosion.
Gum Disease: Malnutrition weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections, including gum disease, which can manifest in any eating disorder.
Bruxism: Stress and anxiety, common in all these disorders, can lead to bruxism (teeth grinding), impacting dental health.
Mouth Sores and Bleeding: Poor nutrition and frequent vomiting (in AN and EDNOS) can cause mouth sores and bleeding.
Acid Erosion and Tooth Decay from Bingeing: Frequent consumption of sugary and acidic foods during binges can lead to acid erosion of the tooth enamel. This process weakens enamel over time, making teeth more sensitive and prone to cavities. Consuming large quantities of sugary foods during binges provides food for bacteria, which produce acids that attack tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Continuous eating keeps acid levels high in the mouth, exacerbating decay risk. This can happen with AN, BED, and EDNOS.
Poor Oral Hygiene: Neglecting oral hygiene after binge episodes due to shame or guilt can lead to plaque buildup, causing cavities and gum disease.
Physical Damage: Consuming hard or crunchy foods during binges can physically damage teeth, causing cracks, chips, or wear and tear on enamel.
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