bad, bad teeth problems

i was bulimic for many years and now, in my late 30's, i am suffering the consequences with my rotting teeth. the enamel that protects teeth is all gone. i have been to several dentists and without even telling them, they ask if i had some sort of bulimia ever. it is really bad and my limited dental insurance does not cover any costs associated with repairing my teeth. does anyone have any suggestions about how i can improve my dental health without lots of chemicals? thank you for your comments. by the way, the bulimia ended about 17 years ago.

Mon. Oct 2, 4:20pm

I have no suggestions for you, sorry, but I do want to say good for you for ending your bulima. How did you overcome it??
good luck to you! I hope you get some good advice.

Monday, October 02, 2006, 6:30 PM

I'm sorry :-( I do understand problems with your teeth - I grew up in a poor, rural area and the drinking water caused mine to be horribly stained and pitted. Even though I haven't drunk that water in almost 20 years the damage is still done (and yes every dentist asks me where I grew up). There's nothing that will fix it and my dentist has suggested that I rinse with fluride regularly to help keep the enamel from eroding further, but we need to cap several teeth. Your situation sounds a bit tougher since the damage is right next to the gumline. I've been able to have some of the work done is stages and taking care of the worst damage first, but it sure adds up even though insurance covers $1500 a year.

I pressume you brush twice a day and floss? Because there's really not a lot else you can do to my knowledge, but definitely ask your dentist on that. I would think you would want to avoid using toothpaste with harsh ingredients such as the ones found in whitening tootpastes and tootpastes for smokers. Actually, baking soda can be a really good, gentle tootpaste.

Best wishes!

Monday, October 02, 2006, 7:20 PM

note about tooth pastes-- tarter control erodes your teeth further (uses very fine grain sand to get the tarter off)

Great job overcomming bulimia and good luck with your new problem- I wish I could be more helpful...

Monday, October 02, 2006, 10:46 PM

op here. thanks for the responses! i was thinking that maybe i could turn this whole experience around and get something good out of it. what would you think about my talking with high school girls about my experience and the problems i have faced since? the effects of the bulimia on my whole body are pretty devestating. if i can help prevent someone else from going through this, i will feel that it was not all for nothing...comments?

Tuesday, October 03, 2006, 3:56 PM

I think that sharing your experiences with girls would be awesome!!! Great idea!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006, 4:40 PM

brush with floride toothpaste if you don't already. You'll need a perscription for it from your dentist. I too have bad teeth problems due to eating disorders, not flossing, bad diet, and pregnancy. Now my brush rutine is as follows

1. floss
2. rinse with listerine whitening pre-rinse
3. brush with toothpaste
4. swish scope procare mouth wash
5. brush with flooride toothpaste

takes forever but you know what I do it for my smile, I do it for me!

Tuesday, October 03, 2006, 4:48 PM

bad, bad teeth problems

Is there a dental college in your area - they often offer services at reduced rates....as far a talking to students, go for it...it will make you feel good and young people would much rather hear from the voice of experience than parents and teachers.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006, 4:52 PM

bulimia bad teeth

if anyone can recommend a good dentist in the NYC area who specializes in correcting our "youthful indescresions" i'd appreciate it.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 12:53 PM

Check the New York craigslist "volunteer" page - many dental students and student clinics advertise for guinea pigs there.

Also, find out if there's a conference/workshop/convention where new techniques to address your problem are being taught. My brother's best friend (a dentist) offered to cap his teeth for free if he went to a workshop in California with him for a week to be his guinea pig. I'm not sure if approaching the organizers of a relevant continuing ed seminar directly would be worthwhile, but it can't hurt.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 5:14 PM

i hav very bad teeth too, and everytime i would go to the dentist as a child, he would ask if i drink a lot of soda...and i never did...in fact i hardly ate any sweets...
if anyone else like this? really genetically bad teeth? (my mom and my dad have it too)

what can I do?

Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 8:59 PM

by the way, OP, maybe you can try that new toothpaste ProNamel, by Sensodyne...It's suppose to build and protect enamel...

Tuesday, October 23, 2007, 9:00 PM

So your teeth continued to get worse after you stopped?

Sunday, April 21, 2013, 10:51 AM

I would really try to get some of the worst ones capped. A lot of time dental insurance will cover this. You could do 4 at a time and I know a dentist would work with you.

Wednesday, May 01, 2013, 1:13 PM

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