If bulimia is causing teeth damage and you want it to stop, the only sure way is to stop bulimic purging. This means that you need to get help in the form of proper treatment for your bulimia. Talk to a doctor. Talk to a counselor. But get help. Once you get help, though, there is likely to be a transition period where you are trying to stop but still purge periodically. During this period, there are some things that you can do—and some things that we can do—to protect your teeth and minimize further damage.
If you want help protecting your teeth during bulimia recovery or want to learn about bulimia teeth repair, please call (949) 551-5902 or email Rice Dentistry in Irvine for a consultation with an Orange County cosmetic dentist.
How You Can Prevent Bulimia Teeth Problems
If you are in the process of recovering, there are many things you can do to reduce the amount of damage you cause to your teeth. Here are some tips to follow:
- Rinse your mouth out after vomiting. If you have access to it, rinse with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of baking soda in an 8 oz. glass of water. A fluoride mouthwash is recommended. Rinsing with water can also help reduce the acidity.
- Do not brush teeth for at least an hour after vomiting. Enamel softened by acid wears away more easily.
- If you have an episode of binging, rinse your mouth with water.
- If your saliva production is very low, use artificial saliva.
- If you engage in exercise, stay well hydrated to prevent dry mouth.
- Drink acidic beverages through a straw to minimize contact with teeth.
- Practice proper oral hygiene: brush twice and floss daily.
- Eat calcium-rich foods or take calcium supplements.
- Work with your dentist and follow instructions precisely.
None of this is adequate to stop damage to teeth from purging, but it will slow the damage to preserve more of your teeth for longer.
How We Can Help
Working closely with a dentist can improve your efforts at preserving your teeth. There are many ways we can help, including:
- Provide you with special fluoride gel that can help re-mineralize your teeth.
- Use gentle care on your teeth during your checkups and hygiene visits.
- Recommend desensitizing toothpastes and rinses.
- Perform provisional repairs of critical areas to preserve tooth structure.
Taking care of your teeth can be an important part of recovering from bulimia. If you are dedicated to your recovery, you can overcome this disorder, and we can help erase all marks it has left on your teeth.
If you would like more information about preventing damage to your teeth from bulimia, please contact Rice Dentistry in Irvine today.
