Can They Tell?

[♥ Choir. ♥]

I have braces, so I'm at the dentist or orthodontist at least once or twice a month. I go between throwing up, exercising, or just not eating, I go with whatever is easiest to hide or disguise or whatever at that point. Can dentists/orthodontists tell if you've been throwing up? I brush my teeth and use fluoride and all that good stuff after I do, and I know that there is the whole swelling problem but that hasn't happened before, and it isn't happening now. And if they find out, would they confront me about it, or just tell my parents since I'm a minor? I've been throwing up for a few months and they've never said anything, but I want to make sure that it will stay that way.

[daisyduck]

My best friend has an eating disorder. When she had her braces and she was at the dentist they noticed how decayed her teeth were, but they surprisingly though she was just drinking to much juice, which she then agreed with. So that might work as an excuse.

But sweetheart if it's gotten to the extent of tooth decay, or any extent really, someone really needs to know. I mean i'm assuming you know this is a problem, so would it be that bad if they did think that and you ended up getting help? I know it's hard. It really is. But sometimes to feel better you have to go through uncomfortable situations. When my therapist told my parents about some of my bad habits (cutting, beginning of ed, etc) they really weren't mad. If it's their response you're worried about, i'm sure they'll be really supportive.

PM me if you need to talk <3

[PutYourHeartsUp]

I'm not 100% sure, but as far as I know brushing your teeth right after purging makes them worse. If it were bad enough, then I'm pretty sure they could tell, because they know when your teeth are going bad. What would be so bad about having them know?

[♥ Choir. ♥]

I mean i'm assuming you know this is a problem, so would it be that bad if they did think that and you ended up getting help? I know it's hard. It really is. But sometimes to feel better you have to go through uncomfortable situations.

Yes, it would be. My parents would know, my parents would tell other family members, they'd tell my friends so they can make sure I'm eating or whatever at school, this thing that is my problem would become everyone elses and I can't let that happen. Or if my parents wouldn't tell anyone, they wouldn't do anything about it. They've found out about some of my habits before and swore that they were going to get me help then decided I don't need it. I really don't want that to happen again, but I won't tell them I want help, I don't really want help.

Originally Posted by TranquilChaos

What would be so bad about having them know?

They would make me stop. I need to reach my goal before I can stop, and I'm really not that far away.

[ALLorNOTHINGforCHRIST]

yes if you have been purging long enough usually people can tell. However, you need to get help before it gets worse.

[Revolution]

The same thing happened to me that happened to Samantha's friend. When I went to the dentist, I had over eight cavaties, and my dentist said it was because I drink too much soda. He never even asked me about throwing up.
However, every dentist is different, and yours might be able to tell easier.
I would recommend to get help, I know right now it seems like you're "below a goal", but if you really are overweight, go to a doctor and get a diet/exercise plan that is healthy. Constricting and purging is not the way to go about it, you will only come out disappointed, trust me.
PM me if you need any more advice.

[ellabelly]

Originally Posted by daisyduck

they surprisingly though she was just drinking to much juice, which she then agreed with. So that might work as an excuse.

just saying... giving advice on how to "hide" it, probably is a bad idea.



and yes, they'll know. the way the acid comes back up, it destroys the back of your teeth vs acidic food which can hurt the bottom of your teeth. any good dentist usually keeps an eye out for the difference.

LOVE!
ella

[emma01]

Yes a dentist will be able to see, but they may not realise it is from induced vomiting, and he can comment on your teeth, but it is very unlikely he will tell your parents if he SUSPECTS you have been vomiting, usually they don't say anything as they aren't really trained to help with things like that, so unless you pretty much tell him straight out then I really don't think your parents will find out via him.

BUT...you really need to get help for this.

[udontno]

Originally Posted by midnight_daydreamer

They would make me stop. I need to reach my goal before I can stop, and I'm really not that far away.

Here's the problem with this statement. I just want you to think about this for a minute. If you reach this goal, what's going to keep you from setting a new goal that is even lower? How are you going to maintain this goal once you reach it? What happens if you can't maintain it and you gain the weight back? Are you going to fall right back into the same cycle? This is something that is an addiction, a disorder, something that you need to get help for. It isn't just going to go away because you reach your goal weight. The mindset is still going to be there, the thoughts are going to be there, and if you can't maintain that weight what is going to stop you from slipping right back into it? I don't want to see that happen to you or happen to anyone. I think that you need to let someone know about your eating disorder because you can't keep going on like this. Someone is going to notice, whether it is your friends or your dentist.