# Disordered eating, oral health and sports

## TL;DR

Eating disorders are common in elite athletes and can harm their oral health, so dental professionals should be trained to recognize and address these issues.

## Contribution

This paper highlights the link between eating disorders and oral health in athletes, emphasizing the role of dental professionals in early detection and prevention.

## Key findings

- Eating disorders are more prevalent in elite athletes, particularly in aesthetic sports.
- Dental professionals can play a key role in identifying eating disorders through oral health signs.
- Prevention is crucial to avoid long-term oral health consequences in affected athletes.

## Abstract

Multiple studies have identified that eating disorders are more common in elite athletes than in non-athlete populations. There are a wide range of types of eating disorders that can impact the oral and general health of athletes, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder and other specified feeding and eating disorder. In addition, athletes can be affected by disordered eating such as relative energy deficiency in sport. This paper will explore what we know about the impact of eating disorders on oral health of athletes. We will consider suggested approaches to conversations with those at risk of an eating disorder and consider sources of support for affected individuals. This narrative paper is targeted at all providers of oral healthcare and oral health policy, as well as athletes and sports medicine practitioners and allied professionals.

Eating disorders are common in elite athletes, especially those participating in aesthetic sports that emphasise body appearance. Many athletes will be at increased risk of erosive tooth wear and other oral conditions as a result.Elite athletes may feel able to open up to dental care professionals regarding an eating disorder and therefore it is important for dental care professionals to be aware of the common signs and symptoms of an eating disorder.Prevention is key to avoid the long-term sequalae that can result if erosive tooth wear and other oral conditions progress.

Eating disorders are common in elite athletes, especially those participating in aesthetic sports that emphasise body appearance. Many athletes will be at increased risk of erosive tooth wear and other oral conditions as a result.

Elite athletes may feel able to open up to dental care professionals regarding an eating disorder and therefore it is important for dental care professionals to be aware of the common signs and symptoms of an eating disorder.

Prevention is key to avoid the long-term sequalae that can result if erosive tooth wear and other oral conditions progress.