When you vomit repeatedly, as with certain eating disorders, it can severely affect oral health. The relationship of bulimia & oral cancer is something that has been studied for years and it would appear that there is definitely a connection.
We know that the repeated acid washes in the mouth can wear down enamel and cause some serious issues, but most people don't realize that this can also affect how their gums and other tissues in the mouth recover and grow. However, the real concern is the esophagus.
Our mouths are actually fairly sturdy and studies have shown that while the acidic reflux can help increase chances of oral cancer, the biggest concern is in the throat, which takes the brunt of the acid. It's also more sensitive and seems to be more likely to get cancer, particularly if the bulimia is combined with smoking.
The mouth is still quite affected by vomiting on a regular basis. When the mouth begins to bleed frequently and presents with ulcers, this can be the beginning of cancer. Even ulcers can be caused by this common disorder. These need to heal and every time our bodies heal, there is a chance that there will be some anomalies in the new tissue.
Cancerous cells tend to multiply without stopping, so they are prevalent in areas that are trying to heal and need to multiply. That's where the biggest danger is and the damage caused by the contents of the stomach and the corrosiveness of the liquid means the possibility of something going wrong is higher.
There does seem to be a relationship of bulimia & oral cancer, but there are so many dangers with this disorder that it makes sense to try and avoid it altogether. The modern methods of oral cancer screening are highly effective in diagnosing this disease and patients with bulimia should get examined frequently.
Cameron Torabi, DDS August 9, 2010
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