# Assessment of Dentin Hypersensitivity in Patients With Bulimia Nervosa

## TL;DR

This study finds that most patients with bulimia nervosa experience dentin hypersensitivity, likely due to dental erosion from frequent vomiting.

## Contribution

The study establishes a direct link between dental erosion and dentin hypersensitivity in bulimia nervosa patients.

## Key findings

- 96.67% of patients reported dentin hypersensitivity in at least one tooth.
- 47.15% of eroded teeth were hypersensitive, mainly to cold and brushing.
- Hypersensitivity can significantly affect daily activities and oral functions.

## Abstract

Summary: The article presents results obtained from a study on dentin hypersensitivity in patients diagnosed with bulimia nervosa. These patients are characterized by erosions of the hard dental tissues caused by frequent acid exposure due to self-induced vomiting. Erosive lesions are often associated with hypersensitivity due to dentin exposure.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the presence of a direct relationship between dentin hypersensitivity and dental erosion in patients with bulimia nervosa, as erosion plays an important role in the localization of dentin hypersensitivity.

Materials and methods: The study included 30 patients diagnosed with bulimia. We examined 788 teeth, of which erosions were registered in 316. Two methods were used to provoke dentin hypersensitivity: a tactile stimulus and a cold stimulus. Pain assessment was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The study was conducted at the Dental Center of the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Varna, as well as in the Clinical Halls of 'Conservative Dentistry and Oral Pathology' within the Faculty of Dental Medicine, during the period 2023-2024.

Results: A significant proportion of the examined patients (96.67%) reported experiencing dentin hypersensitivity in at least one tooth. Patients most commonly reported pain triggered by thermal stimuli, particularly cold, as well as during tooth brushing. After examining all available teeth with erosion, we found that nearly half of them (47.15%) were hypersensitive.

Conclusion: Dental erosion in patients with bulimia nervosa plays a crucial role in the localization of hypersensitivity. The severity of hypersensitivity may vary, ranging from mild discomfort to intense pain, which can impair masticatory and speech functions, as well as interfere with the patient’s daily activities.