Eating disorder shame but determined to sort out teeth

mistykins2

Hi, I have been battling eating disorders for a long long time and my teeth have borne the brunt of it. I also grind my teeth and have only been wearing a gum guard for the last 2 years (I am in my mid 40s now). I have been very good about going to the dentist over the years, that isn't the problem. It's more that I have had SO much work done that when I do go to a dentist now, whoever it is always comments, not in a bad way but more in a kind of way of, wow, a lot of work there etc. This makes me feel so full of shame and fear that they are wondering why or suspect my eating problems. I know it's stupid and I am old enough now to realise that they are just doing a job etc for me. It's just that I go through agonies in my head about it all and I suffer greatly with my teeth, even when I am in periods of recovery, I know its an avalanche effect, so much work done already leading to less and less of actual teeth left to work with etc.

I have just now had a large back molar removed and this has really shocked me (have lost a tooth before and got an implant, just the loss of this tooth feels worse) and I have decided that I will get the crowns needed now to try to save my other teeth as well as an implant for this molar. My question is, do dentists know what I have been doing and wonder? When I got my implant done before, the dentist was almost too kind to me, it just felt like he was wondering how I had come to this.

The thing is, I really do try to manage my eating and do have periods of recovery (I look completely normal and general health is pretty ok), and I am not apologetic any more for having food issues (I went through horrendous physical and emotional abuse on a few levels from being a baby right up until my late 20s, the eating disorder saved me from suicide, many times). I haven't given up on recovering completely, just I don't know, I go to pieces every so often and can't cope with life generally. The dental practice I go to is very good but has a lot of dentists in it so I don't always see the same one, hence why I can feel uncomfortable going at times.

Sorry, I know I am all over the place and rambling, it is the shock of the recent molar extraction and feeling this is really the start of losing my teeth unless I crown the others and get an implant for this one. Would I be better off going to just one dentist and one that I could tell my history to or does that matter, should I just be able to go to a dentist and not feel embarrassed or ashamed? I have a great husband who keeps telling me his family don't have eating disorders and have worse teeth than me and don't think anything about it.

helimachoptor

From what you say it is a lot of work.

Where are you based? I'm sure someone can recommend a sensitive dentist where ever you are

tooth_doc

you got nothing to worry about, the teeth will have a certain appearance following the type of trauma you went through, and we are familiar with eating disorders and its aftermath, most of us are very encouraging towards such an individual and will help as much as we can to get things organised for you and I can assure you that there wont be any implied criticism or condescension towards you.

newer technologies and advances in materials means it doesnt always has to be crowns to reconstruct broken down teeth

google transitional bonding of composites

we have very successfully treated people with the same issues as you with this concept and have followed them up for supportive work this means that if you are a suitable candidate, you can save a lot of time, money and get it done with minimally invasive techniques

where are you based?

FullblownRose

Please don't be ashamed to tell the dentist, if you are asked for or feel you should offer an explanation. You won't be the first person to have been through it and there'ss no reason why they shouldn't understand.

The ''lot of work '' coment does seem insensitive if well meaninng, but they could well be saying it to several people a day.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

The above is a good post. A good dentist will be honest but sensitive. You have to identify the problems, find the causes and ensure they are under control and then repair the damage.

I good dentist will call a spade a spade but will be offering solutions to problems not just apportioning blame.

This whole area is a minefield of psychological and emotional issues, once the patient is ready to address the dental issues, they will instantly recognise a dentist that will suit them. Dentist come in all varieties of personalities, there is one out there to suit every patient.

Everything is fixable, everyone can have a nice smile.