Dental and periodontal health in adults with eating disorders: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluates dental and periodontal health in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa patients.

METHODS

Seventy females with eating disorders (36 anorexia nervosa) attending a public hospital Psychiatry and Addiction unit were compared with age-matched controls (n = 70). Full-mouth examination and oral hygiene behaviours were recorded for all participants.

RESULTS

More frequent dental attendance and toothbrushing were observed in patients with eating disorders than in controls (p < 0.01), while lower plaque index and bleeding on probing were observed in controls than in patients (p ≤ 0.03). Percentages of sites with gingival recession >2 mm were higher in patients with eating disorders than in controls (2.3 ± 4.1 versus 0.0 ± 0.1, p < 0.01). The BEWE score >2 was significantly more frequent in bulimia nervosa patients than in anorexia nervosa patients (76.5% versus 41.7%, p < 0.01). Regarding periodontal parameters, mean plaque index, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment loss were increased in anorexia nervosa patients compared to bulimia nervosa patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data suggest different oral health approaches in eating disorder patients according to diagnosis type.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Periodontal and dental health should be considered rigorously in patients with eating disorders. Personalized oral hygiene recommendations and treatments can be delivered according to the type of eating disorder.