Bulimia vs. Your Teeth

Bulimia is an unfortunate eating disorder. Though it is unhealthy in many of the same ways that anorexia is, it is different in the sense that a bulimic person is perfectly willing to eat food so long as he or she regurgitates it shortly thereafter before it has a chance to be absorbed by the body. This not only serves to mask the eating disorder, as a bulimic individual frequently looks perfectly healthy, but it also has an additional effect on the oral health of the individual.

If you’ve ever known bulimic people, you may have noticed that they have a tendency to lose their teeth. This is a direct result of their habitual regurgitation of their meals. Every time they vomit, the harsh acids of their stomachs are washing over their throats, teeth, and gums. In exactly the same way that the acid produced by your oral bacteria breaks down your enamel and delicate tissues, your stomach acid is also capable of inviting tooth decay and gum disease upon yourself.

Should you or someone you know struggle with bulimia, our Bellevue dentist strongly advises that you seek help. There is nothing worthwhile about starving yourself and destroying your teeth in the process.

Treating Hypersensitive Teeth at Bellevue Overlake Dental

Hypersensitive Teeth Causes

Have you been noticing that your teeth has been sensitive? For example, when you drink hot or cold beverages.

Most of the time, the sensitivity passes by quickly. If you can feel an increased sensitivity, you should get it checked by your dentist.

It is possible that you may have hypersensitive teeth. The most common causes are the exposure of the roots. Caused by receding gums. Another cause can be the exposure of dentin, which is the layer underneath the enamel. If there has been erosion on your enamel, it can cause sensitivity. Harsh brushing, strong toothpaste or chronic gum inflammation can also cause hypersensitivity.

For enamel erosion, high acidic foods, teeth whitening or bleaching or smoking can be the causing factors. It softens the enamel exposing your dentin. There are nerves connected to your teeth and can be sensitive to outside elements. Other common causes of hypersensitivity are cavities, a cracked or chipped tooth, or a recent filling.

Care and Attention to Sensitivity

Here at Overlake Dental, your Bellevue dentist, Dr. Monica Yu must can determine the cause of the sensitivity so that appropriate treatment is provided. Dr. Yu has seen many cases of highly sensitive teeth. He will say that your teeth are trying to tell you what’s wrong and that you shouldn’t ignore the symptoms.

What About Toothpicks?

Some people like to use a good toothpick or other fancy pick-like device to get in between their teeth. If you ask our Bellevue dentist, however, there’s really no substitute for floss. We recommend that you always get your daily flossing in, and never try to use a toothpick in its place.

Toothpick vs Dental Floss

While toothpicks are good for extracting an irritating chunk of food after a meal, they’re just not built to do the job of a piece of floss. Floss is capable of getting all the way between your teeth, handily drawing away the layer of plaque from where your brush and your pick cannot reach. The length of the floss also lets you cycle in a fresh bit of thread, to assure that you’re never cleaning your teeth with something that is itself stained with bacteria. Trying to force a pick to go where your floss is meant to go only puts you at risk of spearing your gums or leaving irritating splinters behind.

So only take a toothpick for what it’s worth, and never let anything try to take the place of your floss!

Most Common Oral Health Problems of Children

It’s Not Always Dental Cavities

While caries or tooth decay is the most common oral health issue in children in the US, there are other oral problems that are quite common as well. Learn what other problems are the most commonly seen by dentists aside from caries.

Tooth sensitivity in children is very uncomfortable and distracting. Apart from dental caries it can be due to cracks or chips in the enamel, teeth grinding that can lead to enamel erosion, an erupting permanent tooth, or orthodontic appliance.

Tooth misalignment or malocclusion is an orthodontic problem. Teeth are crooked or overcrowded and affect the bite of the child. Genes can lead to malocclusion, so is excessive thumbsucking. The condition may cause trouble eating, breathing, and speaking. Some may also have gum disease and TMJ problems.

Dental emergencies among children are quite common. Kids can have falls, accidents while playing or during sports which can happen in the home or outside. Teeth can suffer cracks and chips, and sometimes an entire tooth or two can be knocked out, and gums can be cut and bleed.

Gum disease is surprisingly common in children. It is particularly aggressive and manifests early in children with poor oral hygiene and nutrition. Pediatric gingivitis is characterized by gum swelling, redness, and bleeding during brushing or flossing.

Dental anxiety and phobia. Kids and teens are fearful of the dentist especially if their initial experiences caused pain and discomfort. This anxiety manifests as tantrums, avoidance, and panic attacks that need to be addressed. It can carry over to adulthood.

Thumb sucking and tongue thrusting, particularly if excessive and chronic, can cause issues in teeth development. Open bites are the usual resultant condition that can affect biting and chewing, as well as speaking. Tongue thrusting is also common in kids and can lead to open bites.

Bad breath in children is usually due to eating stinky food, excessive sugary snacks or drinks, as well as poor oral hygiene practices. A decaying tooth also contributes to foul breath in children.

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Preventing Children’s Dental Problems in Bellevue

One of the best ways to protect your children’s oral health and lower their risk of oral issues is to have regular dentist visits. Your Bellevue dentist says, prevention is better than cure.

Pregnancy and Dental Care

If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, be sure to communicate this to our Bellevue dentist. Pregnancy has a lot of serious implications regarding your dental care, and you will want to involve your dentist to assure the best health for not only your teeth but also your new baby.

  • Avoid X-Rays During Pregnancy: As much as recent developments have made dental radiography safer than it’s ever been before, there’s no sense in exposing your fragile new baby to unnecessary radiation. Try to schedule any important x-rays before your pregnancy, if you can.
  • Plan Your Dental Appointments Around your Trimesters: Dental treatment should be avoided during the first and third trimesters, as these are important times in the baby’s development. Routine dental procedures should be safe during the second trimester.
  • Alert Your Dentist of Any Medication You Are Taking: It may be necessary to alter your dental treatment to accommodate new medications.
  • Take Particular Care of Your Teeth: Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy put you at greater risk of periodontal disease. Maintain proper oral hygiene, and pay close attention to your gums for signs of bleeding, swelling, or tenderness.
  • Switch to a Bland-Tasting Toothpaste: Strong, minty flavors can aggravate your morning sickness. Look for a toothpaste with a more neutral taste for the duration of your pregnancy.
  • Rinse After Vomiting: Frequent vomiting exposes your mouth to harsh acids that can break down your teeth and gums. Rinse out with water or mouthwash after vomiting, but don’t brush; the acids in your mouth have temporarily weakened the enamel of your teeth, and brushing too quickly can strip this enamel away.