09 March 2026

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Bulimia nervosa and oral cavity: a review of the literature

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OBJECTIVES

Bulimia nervosa is a multifactorial health disorder characterized by a disturbed self-perception of body weight and shape and therefore by cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours such as self-induced vomiting and consequent serious dental problems. Bulimia nervosa is often associated with serious physical and psychosocial morbidity. Persons with bulimia nervosa often tend to hide their disease and avoid professional help. Because body appearance is often normal, diagnosis is complicated because it is based on self-report according to the criteria defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Intraoral manifestations of bulimia include tooth erosion and sensitivity, xerostomia, mucosal lesions, as well as increased rates of dental caries and periodontal disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of articles published presenting cases and populations of patients affected by oral and dental lesions associated with bulimia nervosa were identified and included, as well as reviews regarding such topic. Data were collected on epidemiology, diagnosis, etiopathology, mucosal lesions, dental lesions, and dental management.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of the eating disorders is made on clinical grounds. A history of binge eating without major weight gain, evidence of induced vomiting or regular use of laxatives or diuretics, obsessive/ compulsive behavior, and antisocial activity or self-mutilation, may determine a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.

Oral manifestations of bulimia are usually provoked by vomit, by nutritional deficiencies and consequent metabolic impairment, but may also be related to lack of importance given to personal hygiene⁄ care, underlying psychological disturbances, modified nutritional habits (tendency to eat particular foods) or assumption of certain drugs.

Patients with bulimia nervosa usually present several oral manifestations that are associated with this eating disorders, such as dental erosion, dental caries, glossodynia, and xerostomia.

Dental treatment often requires numerous restorations, extractions or both, as well as frequent preventive care. For these patients on of the dentist’s goals is to improve the patient’s oral hygiene. This will include tooth brushing instructions, use of

dental floss, and topical fluoride application.

Tooth sensitivity can be managed by using desensitizing toothpastes, fluoride applications, and other means. As for restorations, tooth structure affected by dental erosion can be restored with either direct or indirect restorations.

As for teeth with a moderate erosion/ destruction, since most of the enamel is eroded from the lingual surfaces of the teeth, a layer of resin-based composite is needed to cover these surfaces. Instead, patients with severe erosion have four main alternatives: maintain a wait and see approach until one of the following treatments is mandatory; make a maxillary polymer occlusal splint; place crowns on all affected teeth; extract the teeth and fabricate removable complete dentures.

DISCUSSION

The importance of dental practitioners in the early diagnosis of bulimia nervosa should be stressed.

CONCLUSIONS

An appropriate treatment of oral signs of such pathology should be performed, with particular attention to the management of dental erosion.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Patients affected by bulimia nervosa may present several oral disturbances.

Authors: Paolo Boffano, Francesco Cavarra, Gerardo Tricarico, Andrea Melle, Muhammad Ruslin, Vincenzo Rocchetti

Source: https://www.dentalcadmos.com/