After reading the comments on my blog entry entitled Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Hoarding, I realized just how common it is for child abuse survivors to hoard pens. In light of this, I would like to hear from my readers if there is also a common obsession with teeth.
I have been obsessed with my teeth throughout my life. I would freak out whenever I had a loose tooth because I feared that there were no adult teeth underneath to replace it. I have had recurring nightmares throughout my life about my teeth falling out or growing too large for me to shut my mouth.
I brush my teeth a minimum of five times a day: When I wake up, after each meal, and before I go to bed. I will also brush after any snack or if I will be interacting with another person.
I actually own my own dental tools. I cannot stand to have tartar build up and have to wait six months to see the dentist for a cleaning. I have one particular area that builds up tartar quickly (inside of my bottom front teeth), so I scrape that regularly with my own tools. As a result of my obsession with my teeth, in combination with grinding my teeth, my gums have receded, so I have to brush with toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Is anyone else obsessed with their teeth like this? My sister is. She got an infection in the roots of one of her teeth and had to have the tooth pulled. (She could not afford a root canal.) She couldn’t bring herself to do it until the entire side of her face got infected. The dentist pointed out that failing to remove the tooth (or pay for a root canal) could kill her. Only then did she have the tooth pulled, and she was completely wigged out by its removal (well beyond a typical reaction to having a tooth pulled).
Is it just us? Did something in our abuse cause us to obsess over our teeth? Or is this a common phenomenon among child abuse survivors? I would love to hear from anyone else who is as obsessed with his or her teeth as I am.
Photo credit: Faith Allen
I have my own dental tools, too! And rituals about oral care. And a giant stockpilke of a discontinued (but excellent) toothpaste in my bathroom cupboard! I wiped out all the local drugstores when I realized it was being discontinued. And if I have so much as a small snack, I feel really bothered until I at least floss.
I absolutely cannot bear the thought that something might be between my teeth… I floss probably 10 times a day on average. I keep dental floss in my car, all over my house, in my purse, in my desk at work, and and in my nightstand… (I’m probably the only person in the world whose dentist advises against flossing more!!)
I really, really hate to get dental work done. I always chalked up the flossing thing to doing my best to stay out of the dentist’s chair… but now I wonder if there’s more to it than that…
-else
Hey All,
I have the nightmares and grind my teeth in my sleep and clench a lot during the day. I try to catch myself, but it’s hard. My gums are receding also due to over brushing I was told, although I can’t imagine that. When I was young I passed out drunk a lot and didn’t brush at all.
I am not obsessed so much with the cleaning part. I’m a two a day floss/brusher unless I have something particularly smelly like onions or something that sticks in between my teeth like spinach or broccoli.
This could turn out to be another interesting link in the chain.
Mia
i worry about my teeth, and being clean. and they never feel clean too me. i have toothbrush and toothpaste and floss in my car just in case. i have brushed my teeth in a parking lot cause i felt so dirty.
i worry about my teeth, and being clean. and they never feel clean too me. i have toothbrush and toothpaste and floss in my car just in case. i have brushed my teeth in a parking lot cause i felt so dirty.
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
Hi,Very informative post.Having gone through very hard times fighting OCD, I can relate.Thanks,SandraPlease visit my blog at:http://ocdtreatments.info
I have taken this one BIG step further than you guys….
I have had my back teeth removed by the dentist as I
felt that being at the back I could’nt get them clean enough
so I had them all removed.
I tried to get more removed this week …but the dentist (sensing OCD I think) said light heartedly “you need those teeth” and “you will look old without them”.
I keep touching them with my tongue too….its ridiculous!!!
I touch my teeth with my tongue, too! I count them repeatedly throughout the day whenever I get anxious.
– Faith
Oh, yes. I thought I was alone in these obsessive thoughts. I am fanatical about cleaning my teeth, and I worry about harming them by eating the wrong foods and bumping them with silverware.
*sigh*
I have nightmares about my teeth falling out a lot. It is horrible.
i have read that this is a fear of getting older
I have been struggling with OCD for years-mainly obsessed with my teeth. Not so concerned about cleanliness, but absolutely worried about causing damage. Any kind of damage eg, bumping into things, coming to close to people and objects (including cutlery, cups and chop sticks). I am extra cautious not to brush excessively or floss too aggressively. Lately the obsessions have been really overwhelming, even talking worries me as I try to avoid teeth tapping against eachother. I worry about taking medication for my problem as I have read that some patients complain of jaw clenching and teeth grinding.
I do as well, no so much with the cleanliness, but am really anxious about them chipping or breaking, also clenching the teeth, i would worry that they would be damaged, it got so bad that felt really bad every time they would tap against each other. ive had a few bad experiences with going to the dentist so i dont know if that provoked it.
omg i am worried tooi just chipped my front tooth really small btw and now im wearing a mouth guard at night and days when i dont go out when not eating or drinking. Im not messing around with my teeth anymore… im going to ask the dentist if its my bite thats causing me to clench and bite down hard.
Wow. I thought I was alone in my misery! There are others with this wierd obsession. I’ve had OCD for years and started constantly using my tongue to remove what seems like food stuck between my teeth, (or lipstick or lip balm on my teeth). I wish my teeth weren’t so tight together, as everything gets stuck between them. I’m off medication now for a few months and think I’ll need to start back up tonight. I have’nt had a full night’s sleep in the last few months, but I don’t feel that tired during the day. Just an emotional wreck.
I had a dentist tell me once that my teeth were going to rot out and that there was nothing I could do about it. He was filling cavities where THERE WERE NONE. I switched dentists to confirm this. I also worry whether people will notice food stuck in my teeth or if my teeth will get ruined somehow. I’ve started brushing, flossing and using toothpicks more often.
It’ll be interesting to see whether drugging myself up again gives any change.
i tend to carry a lot of stress in my mouth. I’m not neccissarily obsessed with their cleanliness, though I do try and keep them clean. However, I have been obsessed about them being straight and have been particularly concerned with the central and lateral incisors on the right side of my face. as a result, I’ve been fiddling with them with my hands for years (though, oddly enough, I think this habit has boosted my immune system as I can’t remember the last time I’ve been sick, even when the rest of the office has been out with something serious like the flu) and have ground them to sharp edges which, as a result, have effected the two incisors bellow them. I’ve tried very hard to stop but the urge to mess with them remains and I find it very hard to combat.
As far back as I can remember I’ve had an oral fixation. I sucked my thumb until I was in 7th grade when I made myself quit. But almost immediatly afterward I went to braces which, I’m sure, only exasterbated the issue. Soon after they were removed I went to fiddling with my teeth. Often, it’s when i find myself idle, so i end to try and keep myself busy with art, tinkering with machines and my bicycles, or playing video games. If my hands are at all idle they go straight to my mouth, even when i read.
I was diagnosed with ADD several years ago. But I often find the medication that I’m on adds to the situation as well, only when I’m off of it I tend to be more distracted and still fiddle. It seems to be a catch 22
Has anyone heard of or tried the Linden method? It is a ‘non-drug’ treatment for OCD developed by a long-time OCD sufferer. I have heard great things about it, but I’m still a little skeptical? Has anyone had any personal experience with it?
wow i think i might have ocd ever since i was pg with my fist child my teeth became briddle like i lost 4 teeth i never went to the dentist when i was younger my mom never took me so my teeth arnt perfect but now i go to the dentist regulary they tought me to floss right im very happy when i go but when i cant vist the dentist for insurance reason i get very sressed i worry my teeth will fall out or brake i get scared to floss some times i only floss some teeth because im afraid there are some that felt funny when i flossed i brush my teeth every day and floss i had hit my tooth early oct and been having pantic attack
worried that it might fall out or brake it a frount tooth so i have no money to fix itand im going to school for nursing im a perance is vital for paitent comfort and my confedence what can i do to get better and thank im not alone
i have a bad obsession with my teeth i never used to untill about 2 years ago when i first visited the dentist and she said i had gingavitious and it was reversable after many of highgene appointments i got them back to being healthy teeth again but because she told me that i had an obsession and would be brushing them to hard and as a result of this my gums have now receeded in my 2 bottom teeth i brush and floss my teeth twice a day but sometimes i feel depressed about it i will look in the mirror and cry as i would think that evrey day they have receeded further the dentists says they havent and they are fine but i just keep thinking and am scared that it will only be a matter of time untill my gums have receeded all the way down till my teeth fall out can someone answer me on this pref a dentist
Hi, Beckie.
I, too, have issues with gum recession in my bottom two teeth. A dental hygienist pointed out that I was causing it by using too much force when I brush. She recommended that I only brush upward when brushing those teeth. I took her advice, and the receding stopped.
My dentist measures the gum recession each time I visit, and it has stayed stable (although it is low). If my gums do recede any farther, the will do a procedure to “fix” it (a tissue graft). I am not worried about the teeth falling out because this is fixable.
– Faith
I have been obsessed with my teeth for about the last year, I hadnt been to the dentist in 4 years, I went 2 visit my new dentist 4 months ago & he advised my teeth were fine I just need a mouth guard as i do clench nightime & daytime! Since I went 2 the dentist the obsession has got worse, I constantly check my teeth by looking in the mirror, touching them with my fingers and pushing them with my tongue. I am also convinced that some of my teeth may have moved (possibly due 2 my wisdom teeth) I have booked an early appointment 2 see my dentist as Im not sure whether I actually have any pain in my teeth or if its all just in my head! I am 2 scared to floss as I feel my teeth may be weak and always think ‘wot if they fall out?’ I saw my doctor 2day who thinks i am suffering wit ocd which explains a lot but still need confirmation from my dentist that my teeth aren’t going to fall out.
i havent suffered abuse but my biggest thing is cleaning mymy teeth spending to long on it and over checking things i must lack cônfidance in myself its actually mentally tiring
I can totally relate to everyone on this forum. I have also been obsessed with my teeth for the past couple of years. First, I was obsessed with removing all of my old silver fillings (which I am doing slowly but surely). I had 4 done in one day. I am obsessed with them being white and clench constantly to see if my bite is correct. This caused me to clench at night and now my jaw pops. I think what started it is I had a bad infection in a tooth and had a root canal that took 5 months to heal…..then 2 crowns put on, then bite adjustments, now this total obsession. I have taken anti-depressants and it seemed to help a bit…and also xanex…may need to start up on these again!
Wow.Reading these makes me feel better.I never really thought i had OCD but thinking about it mayb i do.I have nightmares about my teeth falling out, I constantly look at them in the mirror.I hate thinking my teeth may look yellow.So i use listerine whitening mouthwash on a regular basis.I brush alot..I don’t drink tea because im scared it;ll stain my teeth!I drink a lot of water!.Everyone thinks im crazy..But i continously worry myself…If i am around someone that has really bad teeth i start immediatly obsessing about mine praying they’ll always stay healthy!Does anyone ever feel like if you stop worrying that you’ll let your teeth go?I do.and really inside worrying every single day makes you miserable but you really don’t notice it.
I’m afraid to eat,if there is know water to wash out my mouth i would starve.I brush twice daily,it seems as if cannot stop whenever i started to brush.my gum recede becuz of over brushing,its mentally stressful.i cannot stop thinking about my teeth,i look in the mirror every chance i get.
I do the SAME exact thing! Lately I have been totally overwhelmed by the fear of my front teeth falling out. I seriously thought I was the only one who thought this way. I too avoid eating super crunchy or chewy things and clanking my teeth against silverware. Its awful!!
I use to not care about my teeth and eat whatever I want. I also brushed vigorously and didn’t go to the dentist for over 10 years. I figured if my teeth didn’t hurt I was fine. Then I got a job with medical benefits and my mom told me to go see a dentist. I found out that I had 5 cavities, an impacted wisdom tooth, and a chronic infection. I had to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks and had a root canal on a tooth that continues to bother me 2 years after it was done. My dentist took x-ray’s and says its doing very well though, although after 2 cleanings the tooth is moving forward. I suffer from GAD, OCD, and a host of other mental and physical health problems. Anyway, now I brush 3 times a day,15 minutes each time, measure my sugar intake, and only drink water and plain tea. Yeah, I’m well aware that tea stains teeth but after my mother got cancer I am obsessed with not getting cancer and tea has antioxidants. My biggest fear is my wisdom teeth develop cavities, have to be removed, and then I die from the surgery. I am obsessed with death and my teeth because I have been suffering from chronic health problems for 13 years that nearly killed me on several occassions.
wow. it is weirdly reassuring to find out that alot of people experience the same problem. i started worrying when i was about 16 when someone pointed out my fillings and then i got really paranoid about them, about people staring at them and thinking i didnt brush my teeth because i had fillings. i stared at other people’s teeth, i asked other people about them whenever i could. then i was okay until about a year ago when my friend (accidentally) knocked my elbow when i was drinking out a glasss bottle and chipped my front tooth a small amount. it isn’t really noticable to other people but it is to me. now im constantly checking my teeth in the mirror, my heart races when i hear cutelry clink against a tooth or my toothbrush knocks the chip, im checking food labels for sugar content because i dont want another filling. its awful. but although chipping my tooth seemed at the time the worst thing ever, in a way it was maybe good because it made me realise,, the “worst” happens, and then its not that bad? i think talking about the problem is the best option . reassurance. living as healthily as possible. i know someone in my family hadnear OCD and im scared its hereditary
I sont brush every excessivly like all youse because my gums bleed really bad when i brush and floss so every week i spend two hours flossing and brussng i love the clean feeling of it and i have ocd but my gums bleed really really bad when i do this. i filled up a large cup with blood from my gums after last nights clean. and because of the blood i then have to brush again. i suffered abuse when i was younger from my dad so i guess it could have something to do witit
What’s Up everyone.
I’m glad to hear i’m not the only one who has an Obsession with their teeth. I know I haven’t seen a Dentist the last few years, but it’s because of the fact i’m trying to finsh College and to make a better income and Dental Insurance and My Axiety and Obsessiveness of keeping them clean. That being said, I use to brush my teeth at least 10 minutes a day with a medium Brush and feared that I wasn’t getting it done right. It is because of that some of my areas of my teeth have a receeded Gumline. Also after I got one of my top back Bi Cuspids removed and I freaked out, nearly everyone told me they couldn’t tell, but it still bothers me. One day I might get a Implant there. But since I stopped worrying as much and try to pay less attention to my teeth, my paranoia has gone down as well as the Issues I’v had with them, but it still bothers me whenever I miss a brushing or when I think of the tooth which was supposidly fixed, was removed
I did not realise I had a problem until a week ago when my roommate made me aware of it. I have for years bought the hardest toothbrushes I could find, then I brush for about 10 minutes 4/5 times a day until my mouth hurts/bleeds, as this has become a measurement for cleanliness to me. Unfortunately, I started getting scratches on my gums and my dentist looked completely horrified when I told her how I brush my teeth. I don’t know if this is OCD, as I can’t explain why I feel the need to do this. I have anxiety and depression as it is, so it’s not unlikely. My dentist forced me to buy an electrical toothbrush as they are less hard on the mouth, but I still brush for 10 minutes. Baby steps.
I also am obsessed with my teeth if there not white I freak, I don’t think it’s weird at all it’s simply caring for your hygine.
**possible trigger warning**
When I was a child I would gouge out my teeth (ie. they were still firmly rooted in my mouth, not even the slightest bit loose). It was like a pain tolerance/endurance test I believed I had to practice. Gouging out your teeth with your fingernails is very painful… I would fight that passing out from pain thing, so I could train myself to endure more. It would usually take a couple of hours non-stop… And it hurt and bled a lot. I don’t know if anyone else did this too but it was like something of utmost importance for me. Like I saw it as part of my training for the pain of very severe abuse. Maybe I’m just a freak, I don’t know, but I know one thing for sure… It really troubles me now when I think about when I used to do that. I would like to know if anyone else did this as a child too, because I really feel like a freak.
Oh and I’m also obsessive about brushing my teeth as an adult.
I have the same problem. I touch my teeth and see if they are loose. I will wiggle them they are a bit loose but not much. But it’s enough for me to fiddle around with it thinking its going to fall out. Just try not to think about it and if you are just dying to touch them make yourself not to. I haven’t done it in 2 days so far and I would do it every five minutes. So just try not to think about it and don’t let yourself do it
This may sound sick, but i only brush my teeth twice a week. Im terrified of the thought of the blood on my tooth brush every time. BUT i have my own dental tools. The “metal scraper” (nope, don’t know the proper name), is my favourite. I Use it at every chance i get. I use it til my gums bleed. And i know i said im freaked out about the blood on the tooth brush, so ya, its messed up. The back and forth with my mind. I have listerine, that i use twice a day. it burns, because i scrape my teeth until they bleed. Its almost like a victory when i get all the plaque. I scrape, and find it disgusting that i got some plaque on the scraper, and even so, im happy cause i keep going over and over til i get it all. from each tooth, all around it, on it, then after i am done scraping them, i take ;paper towel, and wipe my teeth hard, getting any access blood or plaque off. Then i use my listerine. and like i said, i do this more than once a day. if i had to guess i would say about 10+. is this at all similar to anyone ?,
Please help me guys , i was so obssessed seeing my teeth everyday in the mirror its seems that i was look like crazy, i’ve been in the mirror looking at my teeth almost the whole day ! i’ve been noticing if there were different or something that have moved or comes jutted out already, i felt unpleasant with this situation ,so.help me guys….