Warning: This article contains discussions of eating disorders and drug use which some readers may find distressing
A woman claimed they were ‘so embarrassed’ after discovering why their dentist asked them an intimate question about their health.
It’s understood that around 10 million adults in the UK suffer from dental anxiety, while a whopping 53 percent of the population are scared to visit a surgery.
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But the longer you put off visiting your dentist, the more likely your teeth are to suffer from underlying health conditions.
So, it’s advised that you swallow your fear and book that appointment ASAP.
While not a horror story, one person who went to see their dental expert earlier this week left bamboozled when they were quizzed on their lifestyle habits.
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Taking to Reddit to recount her strange experience, a user known as @Verdically_ wrote: “I'm 38 and bad teeth run in the family - my grandma was in dentures by 22.
“At any rate, I had a dentist appointment yesterday where the dentist told me I needed 3 teeth extracted, and 6 root canals.
“He then proceeded to ask me something very strange - 'Do you do anything you don't want people to know about that might affect your teeth?'"
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The social media user claimed they replied in the negative before writing on the internet that she hadn’t understood his line of questioning.
“I said no because I had no idea what that might be. I'm still wondering what exactly he could have meant by that... I was too caught off guard to ask. Does anyone have an idea?”
After reading the post on the popular ‘No Stupid Questions’ thread, Redditors have flocked to the comments section to debate what they believed the practitioner was hinting at.
One user alleged: “He’s alluding to drug use. ‘Meth mouth’ and similar drug-related decay found in the enamel.”
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In reply, the original poster said: “Oh my god I'm so embarrassed lol.”
A second user, who claimed they were a dentist, typed: “Dentist here: He was just politely asking if you are, or were, a drug user.
“Not just meth, but most drug and alcohol abuse can cause tooth and gum disease. It does change how we plan cases.”
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They added that dentists ask these questions to inform their practice and to determine whether continuous usage or relapse is likely.
“We're not asking just to be nosy lol,” they added.
“Please tell your dentist about this at your next visit,” replied someone else.
“Sounds like they were trying so hard to be respectful and non-judgemental that you didn't even understand.”
Elsewhere an alleged doctor claimed that they have these specific conversations on a daily basis and usually try to put their patients at ease
“He should have followed it up with ‘Ok good, not everyone knows that systemic problems like addiction and eating disorders can be found in the mouth’,” they complained.
Another user suggested that the dentist may have been asking if the woman had an eating disorder while someone else penned: “Bulimia. The acid will wear teeth at an expedited rate.”
According to Addiction Centre, ‘Meth mouth’ is a combination of ‘acidic tooth decay and drug-induced physical changes that occur with meth use’.
It is characterised by severe tooth decay and gum disease, which often causes teeth to fall out or break, as per the Journal of American Dental Association.
Meanwhile, chronic purging and bulimia can also cause major dental problems.
When you purge, the acid from your stomach can work to wear away the surface of your teeth, thus making them more sensitive.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article and would like to speak with someone in confidence, call the BEAT Eating Disorders helpline on 0808 801 0677.
Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Alternatively, you can try the one-to-one webchat
Topics: Health, Reddit, Social Media, Life
Ella Scott