THE Eating disorders they can favor, among other things, also problems of health of teeth and gums. Dental erosion, sensitivity, loss of shape, size and volume of the teeth which, increasingly fragile, can break. That’s why he was born at the San Raffaele in Milan CORED (Centre of Oral Rehabilitation of Eating Disorders), first center in Italy affiliated with the National Health System dedicated to the prevention and treatment of such damages. Active from 5 September, it will guarantee support to people affected by DNA (nutrition disorders) with the aim of restoring the aesthetics and function of the smile.
The first center dedicated to dental health and eating disorders
Until now there was no center nationwide dedicated to the prevention and treatment of such damages. For this, the Doctor Clotilde Austoni, Dentist Specialist in Odontostomatological Surgeryin agreement and in collaboration with Professor Enrico Gherlone, Director of Dentistry of the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospitalkicked off the CORED (Centre of Oral Rehabilitation of Eating Disorders), operational from 5 September.
The aim of the center is to protect the smile of people suffering from bulimia nervosa and restore it to those who have already damaged it, restoring its aesthetics and function. It will be possible to access the service through a first visit with the National Health System (SSN).
Eating disorders and teeth at risk: a little-known effect
Clotilde AustoniDentist Specialist in Odontostomatological Surgery and Head CORED at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan she explains: «I have been dealing with dental wear for several years and I have realized how much little known are the damage to the smile caused by eating disorders.
Most people suffering from bulimia nervosa do not know the implications this can have on the teeth or the ways in which it is possible to prevent or intervene if the damage is already present. This is why I supported with determination a project that would offer a point of reference in Italy for these patients».
Eating disorders on the rise especially among women
The most recent data released by Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health national survey, 2019-2023 – “CCM Ministry of Health DC Project”) confirm that in Italy in the last three years the number of people suffering from it has more than doubled. Today there are three million – equal to 5% of the national population – of which the 95% are women.
L’age of onset has decreased (30% of the sick population is under 14 years old) and an increase in access to services by the male population was confirmed (Ministry of Health epidemiological survey, February 2021 – “Platform for the fight against malnutrition in all its forms (Triple Burden: malnutrition due to lack, excess and micronutrien).
Yet i services are few compared to the request: in Italy there are 126 centers dedicated to the treatment of eating disorders, of which 63 in the North, 26 in the central regions and 40 in the South and islands.
Why eating disorders worsen dental health
Among nutrition and eating disorders, the bulimia nervosa can cause serious damage to teeth and gums as well. The self-induced vomitingindeed, it contains highly acidic gastric juiceswhich corrode it tooth enamel. Over time, if no action is taken, dental erosion progresses, causing ssensitivity, loss of shape, size and volume of the teeth which become increasingly brittle and can fracture. In addition to aesthetic damage, therefore, there may also be functional damage to the dental elements.
A multidisciplinary approach
To effectively address the complexity of eating disorders, the CORED Center collaborates with psychiatry, psychologists and nutrition specialists from the Eating Disorders and Anxiety Center of the San Raffaele Hospital. A fundamental approach to offer the patient timely responses on several fronts and for greater efficacy of treatments and a better prognosis.
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