The researchers assessed the periodontal condition of the patients and categorized those with eating disorders into the first and second degrees of periodontal diseases using the Community Periodontal Index. This means that some of their periodontal diseases could be treated by improving their oral hygiene, and others needed monitoring and treatment by dentists.

Overall, the periodontal condition in the group of patients with anorexia and bulimia was significantly worse than that in the control group, the researchers reported (J Periodontol, July 30, 2019). Those without eating disorders were healthy and had little to no inflammation of the gingiva and periodontium.

Poor Oral Health Linked to Liver Cancer

Researchers continue to discover medical problems associated with poor oral health. Earlier this year, for example, scientists at Queen’s University Belfast found that poor oral health practices increased the likelihood of developing liver cancer by 75%. Those researchers also found evidence that poor oral health can lead to other forms of cancer, including cancer of the colon, rectum, and pancreas.

Although that study was rigorous (involving, for example, more than 469,000 people throughout the UK) and conclusive in finding this linkage, researchers could not with certainty demonstrate the specific biological mechanisms which linked poor oral health and liver cancer. They theorize, however, that, because the liver’s role is to remove bacteria from the body, and because poor oral health creates a substantial increase in the number of bacteria, the liver must work harder to remove them. Over time, this weakens the liver and increases the probability of liver problems, like cancer.