Q: Can eating Play-Doh rot your teeth? I have the rare eating disorder, pica, and eat play-doh before going to bed. Can eating this harm my body in any way?
Hello Strawberries
I actually happen to know a lot about pica. My son has this as well. One thing that can cause pica is some medications...are you taking any ADHD meds for example? The other thing which can cause this...especially eating clay and sand...is a lack of certain nutrients in your diet. Are you taking any vitamins or supplements? For my son...his pica for wanting to eat clay and sand stopped when we gave him a vitamin with iron in it. Pica can also be a sensory thing...playdough smells good...almost like food. It can also be a compulsion. Do you suffer from OCD?
Definitely tell your doctor or therapist about this. Not sure about it rotting your teeth but it probably isn't good for you to be eating. All playdough is not the same either...I sure hope it is non-toxic. Please do speak with your doctor who may have some ideas of how to help you. And I would also definitely look into looking into getting all your vitamins and nutrients.
Let us know if we can be of any more help.
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Hi,
Thanks for answering my question. I guess maybe I should have posted it under the eating disorder page?? I didn't realize the box was for each group...
I am not on any ADHD/ADD meds.
I've heard it can be due to a vitamin deficiency and the OCD issues. I take a MV. I have also been on iron Rx's in the past. I was doing it even when I was on the iron.
I've not told any doctor before. I'm never quite sure if they would know what pica is. I know it's common in pregnant women and children. For me, it's more because I like the taste of the play-doh. I was just thinking about it like rotting my teeth because I always eat it at night after i've brushed my teeth. I only eat the name brand Play-Doh and it does say non-toxic. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask a dr about it to see what the cause is, but then again it could just me that I like the taste of it and no matter what's done I will still eat it. Unless it's harmful to me, then i will limit myself. I know as a child I ate many things, but I did it secretly, though I've heard my mom and sister talk about me eating non-foods as a child. They probably didn't know it had a name back then. I don't know.
Thanks for the help.