Teeth

• By chewy1
• Posted January 16, 2008 at 9:14 am

Char,
I'm so glad you brought this up. It's a little strange though because I have been thinking about posting this question but didn't because noone has ever mentioned anything about teeth and I thought it might just be me!
Yes, my teeth are in bad shape. I know I need to go to the dentist too ,but like you it scares me. I have never had many experiences or problems with my teeth until the past few years. My few trips to the dentist when I was younger were not positive experiences. It wasn't so much pain but just the dentist was always so rude and hateful to me. I was extremely shy when I was younger and very sensitive so I internalized all his "lectures" and I built up a real dislike and fear of dentists. Of course, I used to feel the same way about doctors too, but now am over that one.
The enamel on my teeth is pretty well gone too. I also have several cavities, which strangely don't cause me any noticeable pain...may be that my stomach pains just overshadow it.
I know when I finally force myself to go to the dentist it will require some major dental work too. I'm sure I will be looking at many visits and I really don't think I can face that along with all the doctor appts. Of course, saying that to you seems really stupid, considering all your doctor appts, and trying to go to school too!
None of the doctors have mentioned the condition of my teeth but having read a lot and watching t.v., I know that bulimics teeth are ruined from the constant vomiting. I guess sometimes that is one of the first signs that doctors catch on bulimics. So, even though I tell myself noone notices my teeth I'm sure they have too.
I'm so proud of you for going today and getting it taken care of...I need to use you for motivation and make myself do it now too. Maybe ,when I get back from Mayo...I really should check into getting some dental insurance first though. I know I will have to have a lot of work and it won't be cheap. I think I would need to find a dentist who would sedate me though and could take care of a lot of it at one time. (See...I'm already coming up with reasons to avoid it). It's so crazy!
I'm sure you will do fine and having dental work will be a breeze compared to everything you have had done to you. You are one tough cookie!
Good luck with it! If it helps, I'm a bigger "coward" than you!
Judy

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• By lstap87
• Posted March 28, 2008 at 7:37 pm

I have bad acid reflux and was told that the acid causes the enamal to erode on the teeth causing sensitivity. I am on a prescription tooth paste called Ethedent to help minimize the erosion. The acid can also cause canker sores (I have had my most recent for almost 3 weeks) And I have lost my voice for months at a time. Recenty I was diagnosed with GP and they say it is all linked.

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• By Char
• Posted March 29, 2008 at 9:09 am

I get a lot of sores in my mouth, but I know that a good number of them come from me biting my mouth. When something hurts really bad (my stomach) I'll tend to bite down on the inside of my mouth. It'll take forever for them to heal though, even if I leave them alone. I guess that it because of my reflux. One time when we had to push my tube back through the hole to keep it open till I got to the doctors I bit down on my tounge. My tounge got infected and swelled to the point that I couldn't talk. I had to go to the doctor and get some perscription antibiotic mouth wash. Boy was that embarassing. I recently spend most of the last month and a half without a voice, that can be hard.
I hate that you are now having to deal with GP symptoms. It seems most people with GP also have reflux. I hope you are able to start some meds. soon that will help you.
Char

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• By ktmorong12
• Posted April 8, 2008 at 5:30 pm

I have bad gag refluxs so bad I haven't gone to dentist in two years. I feel and know I have wisdom teeth growing in but after the last time I went to dentist I had a bad experience with my refluxs so I won't go back now.

gp meds do not work for me so until my refluxs die down, i won't go back..makes me way to sick and specially uncomfortable.

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• By Kozush
• Posted April 21, 2008 at 12:35 pm

I've had problems with my teeth for a long time and dentists kept accusing me of not brushing etc which drove me NUTS. Between the vomiting/reflux and an extremely low level of Vitamin D my teeth are pretty awful and it doesn't help that I have a family history of gum disease and such.

I've had problems a lot lately with sensitivity and it's just due to enamel erosion. Nothing I can really do about it. I brush with Sensodyne Pro Namel toothpaste, use Listerine or Act rinses that help promote enamel strength and a flouride gel treatment at night. Despite all that, I'm so afrad that I'll be coming up on root canals...and it's not helped by the fact that I can't eat roughage which is VERY good for teeth. In fact the whole act of EATING is important for teeth.

There's a lot to be learned from anorectics and bulimics advice for each other when it comes to dental health. One of the big ones is DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER VOMITING!!!! You're brushing away more enamel. Rinse your mouth out with water, or if you absolutely have to brush, use a mix of baking soda (which helps neutralize the acid) and water and little flavouring if you want. Brush with a very soft toothbrush, even a baby toothbrush and brush lightly, don't push down.

Don't forget to maintain Calcium and Vitamin D levels, your teeth ARE bones. Talk to your dentist about more specific recommendations for your teeth in particular but those are good general ideas. As far as roughage, there's always the possibility of "chew and spit".

Hope this was of some help!
Sarah

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