[darkrunner]

((((((((((((((((everyone struggling with ED))))))))))))))))))

I went to my dentist today, and told the hygenist about my ED. I was totally terrified to do it, but I was also really scared about what I was doing to my teeth so I finally decided to go.

They were both really understanding, and they gave me some special toothpaste to strengthen my enamel, and a prescription fluoride treatment to put on my teeth before I go to bed.

I know maybe not everyone would have a dentist who is so understanding, but I thought I'd share my experience in case it gives someone else some hope or encouragement. There are dentists out there who will treat you with respect and care, and not be blaming or accusatory.

Originally Posted by ktgirl

((((((((((((((((everyone struggling with ED))))))))))))))))))

I went to my dentist today, and told the hygenist about my ED. I was totally terrified to do it, but I was also really scared about what I was doing to my teeth so I finally decided to go.

They were both really understanding, and they gave me some special toothpaste to strengthen my enamel, and a prescription fluoride treatment to put on my teeth before I go to bed.

I know maybe not everyone would have a dentist who is so understanding, but I thought I'd share my experience in case it gives someone else some hope or encouragement. There are dentists out there who will treat you with respect and care, and not be blaming or
accusatory.

Hi Ktgirl,

Boy , that was brave of you to do after I posted about my experiece.

And it looks like you didn't sweat too much or get put into PSTD mode.

The first dentist I had when I was new into recovery and still purging said nothing about it being a problem with my restoration.. And they prescribed me a floride gell to use with a fitted mouth guard. Pretty standard treatment .

I grind my teeth and clench to deal with daily stress both durrring the day and at night.
I have sleep apnea i believe because my mouth gaurd falls out and I wake up i the middle of the night and Im tired alot.

I think the acid damage comes from drinking sodas and oj, high acid drinks.

most people who binge and purge ALWAYS brush thier teeth afterwards
with out fail

for obvious reasons.

SO there is no acid wash as they think.

Not as much as drinking acid drinks coffee tea etc which does not get brushed. Like the swishing of the coke the dentis so aptly demonstrated . Coke mouth wash ....LOL!

I got an answer from the head of the department.

I hope you don't mind my sharing the response I got here because you showed support for me earlier.

my response from the letter in this thread.

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=94417
***************************************************
Dear Ms. XXXXXX

I am sorry you had a bad experience in our clinic. I understand that Dr. XXXXXX questioning was upsetting, although I know he does care a great deal about our patients and goes out of his way to make sure they get good treatment. Typically it is the responsibility of the resident to inform the faculty of any significant medical or past medical issues. I know you stated that Dr. XX told Dr.XXXXX about your bulimia, but it seems that there was some disconnect in communication that has resulted in your experience.

As I mentioned, I do not think it was Dr.XXXXX intention to upset or humiliate you, and I'm sure it would concern him to know this

*********************************************************

Doesn't sound like they took my suggestions into consideration for how to treat women or men with Bulimia.

OH heck...

maybe Im just too sensitve.


So glad things went well for you Kt girl ,

My boca sister.

I think I got that right.

Patricia

[darkrunner]

Thanks for your comments Patricia.

Yes, I was very scared of disclosing this problem to the dentist. But I figured it was something I had to do. I have been going to the same dentist for 20 years, and although he retired a couple of years he turned over his practice to another very talented professional. But the dental hygenist is the same one I've been seeing for a long long time. I told her at the beginning of the appt and she told the dentist for me. I hoped they would be understanding but had a lot of fear. I'm just so relieved and thankful that they were so great about it.

I don't really know what to make of the letter they sent you. On the one hand, they apologized which is good.

But on the other hand, they seemed to be very supportive of the dentist and made it all seem like a misunderstanding, which doesn't sound like your experience of it.

And there isn't any mention of follow up actions they will be taking with the dentist, to explain to him how the experience affected you and maybe help him to learn how to handle situations differently in the future.

I don't think you're too sensitive. Are you considering responding to their letter? Sometimes when it's necessary to complain about something it helps to ask specifically for what we want to happen.

and to you, Patricia.

[susie2009]

I am glad your dentist was so understanding about your ed. I also mentioned it to my dentist after being reemed for an hour and a half about the shape of my teeth. I asked the dentist if acid reflux would eat your teeth and he said that was what was doing the damage.

Originally Posted by ktgirl

Thanks for your comments Patricia.

Yes, I was very scared of disclosing this problem to the dentist. But I figured it was something I had to do. I have been going to the same dentist for 20 years, and although he retired a couple of years he turned over his practice to another very talented professional. But the dental hygenist is the same one I've been seeing for a long long time. I told her at the beginning of the appt and she told the dentist for me. I hoped they would be understanding but had a lot of fear. I'm just so relieved and thankful that they were so great about it.

Humm Ive had the same dentist and hygentist for I guess about 15 years. I have various reasons why I want to change.

they probably assumed i had an ED . they knew I was seeing a therapist in the same building. The eating disorder had been arrested ( lol in handcuffs) for a good 5 years before my first vist with them . I just didn't think it was important to bring up .
Thier receptionist friend her antics and treatment of me is alot of why I don't want to continue even though shes no longer there.

Not everyones teeth shows sings. It depends on the strengh of the enamel I believe.

Do you think they knew?

I don't really know what to make of the letter they sent you. On the one hand, they apologized which is good.

But on the other hand, they seemed to be very supportive of the dentist and made it all seem like a misunderstanding, which doesn't sound like your experience of it.

And there isn't any mention of follow up actions they will be taking with the dentist, to explain to him how the experience affected you and maybe help him to learn how to handle situations differently in the future.

I don't think you're too sensitive. Are you considering responding to their letter? Sometimes when it's necessary to complain about something it helps to ask specifically for what we want to happen.

and to you, Patricia.

She mentioned I could change days at the clinic.

I have my head in the sand. This is typical of me . It takes so much for me to confront . to folow through is so very hard I just want it to all go away.

So No I haven't written back . Undecided.LOL sigh..

Each time Ive gone its been a emotional war zone . makes me wonder If I should pursue .

Or try a new dentist here . My old dentist has no idea Im doing this .

I ran into his wife in an Alanon Meeting one night a few months ago. her reaction to me was so very strange and some of the things she shared seemed directed at me about how alonon is for more that just dealing with people with Alhohol problems. How she has to deal with "others "

She had no idea I had several years in alanon way back when.

I guess she reacted to the time I walked up to thier car to chat and He was really drunk . I just assumed he had a rough weekend.
anyway .
I don't feel safe.

I get that way . When I get knocked down It's hard for me to keep trying I want to give up.

Patricia

[darkrunner]

Thanks Susie.....
I'm sorry you got yelled at by your dentist. Hopefully he was a little kinder when you told him about the ED.

Take care.....

[darkrunner]

Originally Posted by Auroralso

Do you think they knew?

I thought they were suspicious last time I went, but this time I asked if they would have known if I hadn't told them, and she said she didn't think so because it wasn't too bad. I think you're right, it does depend on the strength of the enamel, but eventually no matter how strong someone's enamel is, deterioration will occur if the ED continues.

I have my head in the sand. This is typical of me . It takes so much for me to confront . to folow through is so very hard I just want it to all go away.

So No I haven't written back . Undecided.LOL sigh..

Each time Ive gone its been a emotional war zone . makes me wonder If I should pursue .

Or try a new dentist here

I think it's OK to have your head in the sand - a way of protecting yourself against future hurts. Confrontation is hard for everyone I think.
Going to the dentist shouldn't make you feel worse about your ED. I think it would be a good idea to find a new dentist who will be understanding of these types of things. You don't deserve to be treated badly.