Getting your teeth repaired after an eating disorder
Having an eating disorder can play havoc on your teeth. If you are in recovery from an eating disorder your teeth can sometimes be a lasting reminder of your previous illness, and getting your teeth repaired can be a powerful part of your healing. Here are some tips to make your dental clinic appointment go more smoothly:
Request an extra long initial appointment
When you call up for an appointment it can be worth asking for an extra long appointment. If you have a significant amount of dental work do complete it can take a while to assess and plan your dental treatments and prioritise which issues are the most important to fix first.
Be sure to be honest with your dentist about how long it has been since your last appointment, and what sort of eating disorder you have had. Knowing the type of damage that may have been done to the teeth (including acid damage from vomiting, or excessive consumption of dietary foods) can help the dentist to pinpoint which type of issues to look for if your mouth. The dentist also needs to review your gums, as gum lesions are a common effect of eating disorders.
Discuss both the treatment plan and day to day pain management
Many people with damaged teeth find that they have very sensitive teeth and have a restrictive diet as a result. Healthy and balanced meals are in important part of your dental and medical recovery so your dentist can be able to help with pain relieving toothpastes and mouth washing to help reduce sensitivity in the mean time.
If you are also prone to teeth grinding at night, grinding whilst the teeth are already damaged can lead to substantial further damage. You may need to wear a splint while your dental work is being completed.
Long term cosmetic dentistry work
After you have completed your rehabilitative work to eliminate pain and any existing infection, you may want to get a new smile with cosmetic dentistry. Depending on the extent of the damage to your teeth you may not be able to have some type of dentistry such as teeth whitening. Regardless of the damage there are always options to create a bright and even smile including veneers, crowns or dental implants.
Repairing your teeth is an important part of recovery from an eating disorder. Why not make an appointment to start your journey to a new smile today. To learn more, contact a company like Acorn Dental Centre with any questions you have.