[Jesse M]

Going to the dentists as well as proper dental care for people with neuropathy is somewhat muddled as far as appropriate care.

I created this thread to address ANY dental and dentist related issues about PN and how to deal with proper dental care precautions and dentist issues for sufferers of neuropathy. I'm starting out with 2 big questions that I, and others, seemed quite confused over.

I need to try to get some clear answers on a few things that have been eluding me and many others suffering from pn. I hope that someone, possibly MrsD, could unravel this puzzle.

First question: Does any type of dental anesthetic cause or worsen PN? I had heard some rumor that it does and this causes some anxiety, since sooner or later, we all got to go back to the dentists. I'm trying to figure out just what is fact and what is fiction on this. I'm sure many others want to know as well.

The second question is more specific regarding, Cipro and Flouroquinolone induced PN. Does fluoride toothpaste irritate, or cause more damage to PN?

I heard 2 theories on this, one was that since fluoride is in Cipro and such other antibiotics that cause neuropathy, that it should be avoided.

While others contend that fluoride toothpaste is harmless, that it is not the agent in the Cipro/antibiotics that cause nerve damage, so it would not be a problem in toothpaste. What is known is that fluoride does help "penetrate" into cells, and to the nerves, so that's why it's so well revered in toothpaste to begin with. But is this a bad thing for people with PN?

I don't know which is true and would greatly appreciate any answers on these two important questions for us.

As it is, there is a fluoride-free toothpaste called "Tom's Main" (you can buy this at CVS/Walgreens/Walmart for 4 bucks) which I do use, but when sensitivity in my teeth are an issue I often switch to fluoride "Sensodyne" brand to deal with it. Obviously I need help getting these answers, so please let me know what you all think.