Teeth, vomiting and diet: a study of the dental characteristics of seventeen anorexia nervosa patients

P. S. Hurst*, J. H. Lacey, A. H. Crisp

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Seventeen anorexia nervosa patients were examined dentally and their dietary histories and eating habits studied. Analysis of the data confirmed earlier observations of characteristic dental deterioration associated with anorexia nervosa. The deterioration included a pattern of enamel dissolution in cases of vomiting, regurgitation, and/or the consumption of large amounts of citrus fruits; and an altered caries response due to abnormal carbohydrate consumption. Despite the patient's probably insistent denial of 'anorectic' eating habits, the general practitioner should consider the existence of anorexia nervosa in the presence of such abnormal features, especially in young women. The relationship of these findings to larger populations with similar eating habits is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)298-305
Number of pages8
JournalPostgraduate Medical Journal
Volume53
Issue number620
DOIs
StatePublished - 1977

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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