Negative Effects of Bulimia on the Body

Bulimia nervosa can have serious and harmful effects on the body’s systems including:³

• Irregular heartbeats, possible heart failure, seizures, and muscle cramps
• Slowed digestion, pain, and bloating
• Weak and damaged intestines that are unable to properly digest and expel waste from the body
• Ruptured stomach or esophagus
• Inflammation in the pancreas
• Inability to focus, irritability, difficulty sleeping, fainting, or dizziness
• Sleep apnea, a disorder when a person stops breathing regularly when sleeping
• Lowered hormone production, which can cause menstruation to stop or cause bones to become weak and brittle
• Reduced metabolism
• Hypothermia
• Kidney failure
• Malnutrition

While many of the body’s internal processes are disrupted by bulimia nervosa, one of the more prominent visible symptoms is its impact on oral hygiene.

This repeated process of self-induced vomiting causes dental problems include tooth erosion, tooth sensitivity and pain, xerostomia (dry mouth), and increased risk of cavities and gum disease.

Teeth and Gums

One study reported that patients who self-induce vomiting were 5.5 times more likely to experience dental erosion compared with healthy individuals without bulimia nervosa.  That’s because vomiting after a binge also brings large amounts of stomach acid into the mouth. The acid can break down and wear away tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth that protects from decay, sensitivity, and fractures.

 The Importance of Tooth Enamel

Additionally, acid washing over the gums can also cause a variety of problems. One study showed that 69% of patients with bulimia experienced gum sensitivity, 39% experienced gum recession, and 20% reported ulcers or lesions in the mouth.¹ The gums can be further inflamed and damaged by vigorous brushing.⁶

Salivary Glands

While vomiting brings stomach acid into the mouth which damages the teeth, saliva has a protective factor. Saliva helps to wash away, dilute, and neutralize the acid, which protects the teeth from acidic damage.

Unfortunately, a common side effect of frequent vomiting is the enlargement of salivary glands which reduces the amount of saliva that is made.

Additionally, many people with bulimia also suffer from dehydration, either from fluid restriction, excessive exercise, or medications. Dehydration further reduces saliva production and contributes to both erosion and xerostomia (dry mouth).⁵

Cavities

During binge periods, many people with bulimia nervosa choose high-energy, sugary foods that are normally restricted. Those who consumer more sugary foods often show more dental erosion. A study showed that on average, people with bulimia consumed 21% more carbohydrates than average, which contribute to the development of cavities.