Eating disorders and their effect on oral health: identifying and understanding manifestations
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the two leading types of eating disorders
that are impacted by a person’s lack of self-esteem and negative view of their body.
With advancements in technology, our society is more connected than ever by the
internet and social media resulting in both positive and negative results. This means
that individuals are exposed to social stigma regularly and this is a contributing
factor to the increasing rate of eating disorders.
Like all diseases, eating disorders have similarities and differences but both
have one major point in common - they affect the body systematically. These include
factors such as altering the pigment of the skin, or lowering body fat percentage to
dangerous levels because of malnutrition. These manifestations occur when the
disease has progressed and irreversible damage has occurred. However, there are
early signs of these diseases commonly seen in the mouth that aid in early detection,
diagnosis, and treatment. These signs include xerostomia, enamel erosion, and
caries development. While on their own, these issues can be the symptoms of other
diseases besides eating disorders but together they are key in diagnosis. This leads
to the problem that many dentists face today, and that is the inability or lack of
knowledge to diagnose patients with eating disorders. Therefore, dentists and oral
health providers, must learn the signs of eating disorders as well as be trained in the
proper steps to approach this situation. In doing so, many people with eating
disorders will receive the much needed help early on to prevent subsequent
permanent damage and ensure their livelihood.