Abstract

POPOFF, Daniela Araújo Veloso et al. Bulimia: oral manifestations and dental care. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2010, vol.58, n.3, pp. 381-385. ISSN 1981-8637.

The aesthetic beauty standard imposed by contemporary society has been responsible for the increasing bulimia rates. This behavioral disease that leads to eating disorders results in physiological damages that can become permanent if not treated early. These damages may affect oral health and include perimolysis, more caries lesions, swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, changes in the amount and quality of the saliva, xerostomia, cheilitis and mucositis, bruxism and orthodontic changes. The oral manifestations are caused by poor oral hygiene, vitamin deficiencies, chronic carbohydrate intake, binge eating, xerostomia, anxiety, and also because of the acidification of the saliva due to vomiting. Based on the signs and symptoms of this disease, the dental surgeon is potentially one of the first health professionals to identify it and can provide proper dental treatment.

Keywords : bulimia; oral manifestations; dentists.