Hi,

After my teeth cleaning the hygienist reminded me about Wellbutrin and dry mouth. She also told me that Verapamil causes a specific type of swelling of the gums (can't remember the name). I have to watch the gums and floss carefully and so on. I've been on Verapamil since 1993 or so and no one told me that.

Did I tell you I got my braces off last week!!!!

No one could do a proper cleaning while I was on the braces.
I'm feeling better about eating now too. Before the braces, I could only eat food that was completely mushy. Now the bite problems have mostly been corrected and the braces are out of the way and I can start rethinking food.

And yes, these teeth probs were stressful and depressing. I'm ready to move on to happy teeth.
M.

Dear Mari

i had been wondering about the braces, because you mentioned a while back that they were supposed to come off soon.

wellll.... CONGRATULATIONS! i am happy for you.

FOOD, glorious FOOOOOOOOOD!!!
We're anxious to try it.
Three banquets a day --
Our favourite diet!

(by Lionel Bart, from the musical Oliver!)

interesting about the Verapamil. i wonder how come and if anything can help. i'm thinking in terms of the vit D that you already take, but i don't know why. just random thoughts, i guess.

~ waves ~

Oh that is good news about your braces! did he reccommend a retainer?
Wow, it must feel great them being off!
congratulations!!!!

Wondering since I can't remember if that is the same problem you have
with Dilantin.

Donna

I have the same thing on Lexapro, hygenist said it is the meds making dry mouth. I hate it. I use bioteen, and the rinse, but still dry.

Congrat's on the braces off,
I bet if feel so free to lick your teeth, and feel them gone from your mouth.
trying to get my Katie in hers before she gets any older.
Di

Here is wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gingival_enlargement
Gingival Enlargement

Do not look up this stuff in Google Images. It is too weird.
M.

you know i just had to look.

good grief!

anyway, i am guessing a reason these drugs can potentially cause gum overdevelopment is that they can all cause dry mouth. anything that reduces flow of saliva in the mouth can impact gum health. one thing that can be done to alleviate this somewhat is to suck hard, sugar-free (for teeth) candy or otherwise hydrate the mouth regularly.

there is perhaps more to it than that though, because a great many other drugs cause dry mouth but the Wiki article singles out these 3 drug classes.

~ waves ~

So glad you got your braces off Mari! That's awesome! I bet you're excited now. I remember getting mine off at like 15, it was awesome! Wear your retainer though so they don't start to shift about in your mouth again. I lost mine after 6 months and had some minor shifting. PITA but happens....Again CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Dear Pam,
Thanks Pam! Believe it or not my teeth have always been straight. I developed an over bite- type situation because a stupid dentist gave me a night guard to protect grinding teeth. The night guard threw off my bite --- I had a weird awful overbite situation. Two orthodontists wanted me to have jaw surgery to correct the problem. The third orthodontist said that without the surgery he could get me to 85% function. That's pretty much where I am.

I've been free of braces two weeks now.
I am rethinking food.
I want to eat nuts and fruits and veggies and eat as much of a vegan lifestyle as possible. I felt good when I ate that two summers ago before the teeth went off the rails so to speak.


I am deeply ambivalent about the retainer. It is one more thing to do at night before bed.
I already have a long night time routine that prevents my getting to bed. I need to eliminate barriers to bed, not add more --- You Know What I Mean??

M.

yes I think I know what you mean.

bizi