Oral Health›Health conditions and your mouth

Eating Disorders and Your Mouth

Eating disorders can affect the teeth, gums and mouth, especially when they involve vomiting. Here is what can happen, how to protect your teeth, and where to find support without judgement.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·8 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, and you can recover from them. They can also affect your teeth, gums and mouth.
  • Repeated vomiting brings stomach acid into the mouth, which can wear away tooth enamel (dental erosion) and make teeth sensitive. A dry mouth, swollen salivary glands and gum problems can happen too.
  • After vomiting, rinse with water (or milk, or a non-acidic or fluoride mouthwash) and do not brush straight away. Sources suggest waiting 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Your dental team is there to help, not to judge, and what you tell them is kept confidential. They can protect and repair your teeth and help you link in with a GP.
  • Support is available: Beat in the UK (0808 801 0677), the Butterfly Foundation in Australia (1800 33 4673), and 988 or the SAMHSA National Helpline in the US.

If you are living with an eating disorder, or think you might be, looking after your teeth may feel like the least of your worries. This guide explains, without blame, what can happen and what helps. The NHS describes an eating disorder as a mental health condition where you use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations, and says that with treatment most people can recover.

Which eating disorders can affect the mouth?

The NHS lists the most common as anorexia nervosa (not eating enough, exercising too much, or both, to control weight), bulimia (losing control over how much you eat, then taking drastic action to not put on weight) and binge eating disorder. The Australian Dental Association says restrictive eating, self-induced vomiting, binge eating and misusing laxatives or diuretics (water tablets) can all affect the mouth. Its advice also covers disordered eating, which sits between "normal eating" and an eating disorder, so you do not need a diagnosis.

How can eating disorders affect your mouth?

Enamel erosion from vomiting

The NHS lists problems with your teeth among the possible complications of bulimia, because stomach acid can damage tooth enamel if you are being sick a lot. Dental erosion is when acid softens and wears away enamel, the hard outer layer of the teeth, and healthdirect Australia says enamel cannot grow back once it has gone.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says repeated stomach acid can change the colour, shape and length of teeth, and leave edges thin enough to break off easily. The Australian Dental Association says teeth can look darker or more translucent. See acid reflux, vomiting and your teeth and tooth wear.

Sensitivity and decay

The ADA says hot or cold food and drink may become uncomfortable. The US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) lists worn enamel and increasingly sensitive and decaying teeth among the effects bulimia can have over time, and healthdirect lists tooth decay among the physical signs of anorexia. See tooth sensitivity and tooth decay.

Dry mouth and swollen glands

The Oral Health Foundation (UK), the Australian Dental Association and the ADA all list a dry mouth. The Australian Dental Association says dehydration can mean less saliva, which normally cleans the mouth, reduces acid and supplies minerals that strengthen teeth. See dry mouth.

The NHS lists puffy sides of the face and under the ears, from swollen glands, among the signs of bulimia. NIMH describes swollen salivary glands in the neck and jaw area.

Gums, lips and bones

  • Gums. The ADA says that without proper nutrition the gums may bleed easily, and the Australian Dental Association says they may heal slowly. US MedlinePlus says a dental examination may show gingivitis (inflamed gums). See bleeding gums.
  • Lips and the inside of the mouth. The Oral Health Foundation lists cracked or dry lips, mouth sores, and bruising or injury inside the mouth. The Australian Dental Association lists cracking at the corners of the lips (see angular cheilitis).
  • Teeth and bones. The US Office on Women's Health says that if you are not getting enough to eat, your teeth and jawbone may become brittle and weak from a lack of calcium. The NHS lists having or having had an eating disorder among the risk factors for osteoporosis (fragile bones). See osteoporosis and oral health.

Looking after your mouth if you are being sick

  • Rinse. The NHS says to rinse with water or a non-acidic mouthwash after vomiting, and NICE (the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) also advises a non-acid mouthwash. healthdirect suggests water or milk, and the Australian Dental Association suggests milk, water or a fluoride mouthwash. The Better Health Channel (Victoria) also suggests one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water.
  • Do not brush straight away. The Australian Dental Association explains that acid softens the tooth surface, and brushing too soon can wear it away.
  • Avoid acidic food and drink. The NHS says not to have acidic foods such as fruit juice during a binge and after purging, and NICE advises avoiding highly acidic foods and drinks.
  • Keep brushing every day, twice a day with a soft toothbrush, and clean between your teeth daily (Australian Dental Association). Your dentist may suggest a higher-fluoride toothpaste or a fluoride varnish (Australian Dental Association, Oral Health Foundation). See how to brush your teeth.
  • Try not to smoke. The NHS says smoking raises the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
How long to wait before brushing

The sources differ. healthdirect and the Better Health Channel say at least 30 minutes after vomiting; the Australian Dental Association says at least 60 minutes. NICE and the ADA say not to brush immediately, without giving a time.

Talking to your dentist

The Oral Health Foundation says dental professionals are often among the first to notice possible signs of an eating disorder, and NICE lists unusual dental wear, such as erosion, among the signs professionals should consider. If they suspect one, it says they will talk you calmly through what they see, that they will not judge you, and that the more open you can be, the better they can help. The Australian Dental Association says your dentist is part of your health care team, may ask about your eating so they can help, and can help you link in with a GP for assessment and treatment.

Confidentiality. The Australian Dental Association says discussions with your dentist are private and confidential. In the UK, the General Dental Council says dental professionals must keep patient information confidential and, except in exceptional circumstances, give you the chance to refuse before they share it with others involved in your care.

Repairing damage. The Australian Dental Association says your dentist can help limit and repair damage, and that some damage may need a specialist. See crowns and veneers.

Where to get help for an eating disorder

  • UK: the NHS says to see a GP as soon as you can, and that you can talk in confidence to the eating disorders charity Beat on 0808 801 0677. It says bringing a friend or loved one to your appointment may make it easier.
  • Australia: healthdirect says seeing your doctor is the first step, and lists the Butterfly National Helpline, 1800 33 4673, for confidential counselling or advice about supporting someone. It also lists Lifeline (13 11 14) for crisis support and 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
  • US: NIMH says eating disorders can be treated successfully and early treatment is important. If you are struggling, it says to call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. SAMHSA's free, confidential, 24-hour National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), gives referrals to local services.

If you are worried about someone else, the NHS suggests telling them you are worried, encouraging them to see a GP and offering to go with them. See also mental health and oral health.

When to see a dentist
  • Your teeth have become sensitive, or look darker, more see-through, shorter or chipped.
  • Your mouth often feels dry, your gums bleed, or the corners of your lips are cracked.
  • You vomit often and would like help protecting your teeth. NICE encourages regular dental and medical reviews for people with an eating disorder who are vomiting.
  • The sides of your face or the area under your ears look puffy. See a GP as well.
Get help urgently
  • Mental health crisis, UK: the NHS says call 111 and choose the mental health option, or call 999 or go to A&E if someone's life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe.
  • Australia: healthdirect says call triple zero (000) if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger.
  • US: NIMH says call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room in a life-threatening situation.
  • Vomiting blood: the NHS says always get medical help, and call 999 or go to A&E if you also feel unwell, faint, dizzy or confused, are breathing fast, have cold, clammy, pale skin, tummy pain or black poo.

Frequently asked questions

Should I brush my teeth after being sick?

Not straight away. Rinse first. Sources differ on how long to wait: at least 30 minutes (healthdirect) or at least 60 minutes (Australian Dental Association).

Can damaged teeth be repaired?

Lost enamel does not grow back, but healthdirect says a dental practitioner may apply fluoride varnish to strengthen what remains, and lists fillings, veneers and crowns among the repairs.

Does binge eating without vomiting affect teeth?

It can. The Australian Dental Association lists binge eating among behaviours that can affect the mouth, and the Oral Health Foundation says a dental team may find decay from eating a lot of sugar.

Sources

  1. Eating disorders: overview, NHS, accessed September 2026
  2. Bulimia, NHS, accessed September 2026
  3. Osteoporosis, NHS, accessed September 2026
  4. Where to get urgent help for mental health, NHS, accessed September 2026
  5. Vomiting blood, NHS, accessed September 2026
  6. Eating disorders: recognition and treatment (NG69), recommendations, NICE, accessed September 2026
  7. How eating disorders can affect your mouth, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  8. Maintain and protect patients' information, General Dental Council, accessed September 2026
  9. Eating disorders and disordered eating, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  10. Eating disorders, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  11. Anorexia nervosa, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  12. Dental erosion, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  13. Mental health crisis support, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026
  14. Dental erosion, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  15. Eating disorders, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  16. Eating disorders, NIH National Institute of Mental Health, accessed September 2026
  17. Eating disorders: what you need to know, NIH National Institute of Mental Health, accessed September 2026
  18. Help for mental illnesses, NIH National Institute of Mental Health, accessed September 2026
  19. Bulimia, MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), accessed September 2026
  20. Bulimia nervosa, US Office on Women's Health, accessed September 2026
  21. Oral health, US Office on Women's Health, accessed September 2026
  22. SAMHSA's National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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