Les répercussions bucco-dentaires des patients atteints de troubles du comportement alimentaire : mise au point et solutions préventives

Abstract

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, are characterized by psychopathological disorders that affect patients’ relationship to food and their body perception. These disorders have repercussions on physical, mental and oral health. Oral manifestations include changes in the salivary glands, mucous membranes, periodontal tissues and teeth. Eating disorders can lead to poor oral health by altering salivary flow, increasing oral acidity and promoting the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Salivary pathologies, resulting from purging behaviors and the use of certain medications, can alter taste sensitivities and lead to hyposialia, a reduction in oral pH. Mucosal injuries are often caused by iatrogenic traumas, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic irritations that may require symptomatic treatment and vitamin supplementation. Nutritional deficiencies (vitamins C, D and B) have consequences on periodontal tissues, increasing the risk of periodontitis, tooth mobility and tooth loss. Dental lesions, such as erosions, cervical tooth wear and caries lesions, result from unbalanced eating behaviors and require rigorous oral hygiene, vitamin supplementation and an early intervention to avoid severe complications. The care of patients with eating disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach, especially with the oral health, involving regular visits to the dentist and preventive measures to improve patients’ quality of life.