Bulimia and dental hygiene: I need help!!?!
Question: Bulimia and dental hygiene: I need help!!?
I was bulimic for about 8 months or so. I was normal weight, but I thought I was fat, so I turned to eating disorders. I was anorexic for the beginning few of those months, too. Because I was already small, I only lost about 15 pounds, but I was so proud. But I've been eating better and I haven't been vomiting for about a month and a half now. Yay!!! :) however, I did gain back all of the weight, but I don't really care, because this happened:
I skipped out on dentists appointments for about 2 years before I went to the dentist again about a month ago. At that appointment, he told me that I had 4 cavities! And I had never had a cavity before, so I knew it was because my enamel had softened. He told my mom that the erosion was due to some type of acid (which I know is stomach acid), so he didn't find out about the bulimia. My back molar is also chipped because the enamel softened so much. I have to get root canal and a crown on the chipped tooth, and I have to get all of the cavities filled, all together costing around $2500 because of my bulimia. Totally not worth it! Now I'm going to a specialist who is going to give the root canal. Now, here are my questions.
- what do I do if my dentist/specialist asks if I have an eating disorder? I do NOT NOT NOT want to tell either of them, so what could I say that would be another probable cause for the cavities and tooth decay?
- I've been disorder free for a while now, but how long does it take for my body to start recovering and going back to norma,?
Answers:
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
For your first question, I'm sure you are not suggesting that we help you lie to health professionals. Just tell the truth, if it is the truth, that you used to purge but have no longer done so for the last 6 weeks.
Second question-- only a doctor could determine if your body has returned to normal. He could order blood tests and give you an informed answer better than we can "guess." If you made yourself anemic, and are now eating properly, it would take at least 3 months to manufacture all new red blood cells. But that's just one factor in the dozens affected in the body by an eating disorder.
Please be aware, you may need help/counseling. Very few (if any) can overcome an eating disorder by sheer will power alone.
RN
They know you have an eating disorder. He saw it on your teeth. However he was too chicken to ask you if you are bulimic. Most dentists wont ask and ignore the issue or just do what he did and tell your mother that somehow acid wore away your enamel.
If someone asks admit to it. Your teeth will NEVER change/ never improve. The stomach acid ate away the enamel on your teeth making it obvious for any dental professional to spot on a check up. And you will always be at risk for getting more cavities.
Talk to a school counselor or if you can drive go see your regular doctor and tell them you had an eating disorder but stopped on your own and need help to prevent going back to it again. Or look online for local eat disorder support groups, they are free.
hygienist