RSD and Tooth Loss?
 

I just want to know if anyone on this site has been lossing their teeth or have you had any teeth that break in half or get cracked in half while eating? I had to have one of my back tooth on the upper R hand side completly removed! (also not covered by insurance,when on SSDI) Now I have another tooth on the upper L side that has cracked in half while eating cereal? I just wonder if this has anything to do with the whole nerve thing? I would gladly like to hear if anyone else has or is going thru the same thing? :eek: Breezy55

Seems to, I don't know if it is the meds or the dry mouth but you just described me perfectly. Lisa

Hi Breezy, I am not sure if this will help, but I too have suffered the loss of a couple of teeth, back ones thank God. But I have celiac disease which is known for nutrition deficiency and known to attack your teeth. I think medication plays a significant role as well as bone loss. Not much we can do, I eat alot of soft foods, but cereal should be on top of that list. Possibly have your blood checked for some type of vitamin deficiency, and I do use the Sensodyne toothpaste. Best wishes

Jeanie

I just did a search and if you are taking Lyrica, then your chance of tooth loss greatly increases. Other meds can do the same thing. Google your meds along with tooth loss and you'll be surprised at the results. Hope this helps :)

I have several teeth that are broken in half. One I have been babying along for almost 2 years. The other two have broken in the last 3 months.

I was on lyrica for about a month, on neurontin 10 years ago for about 3 months. None of my other meds are supposed to cause tooth problems.

My dentist does not think they are related to RSD except that he thinks I clench my teeth due to pain, and that has caused my teeth to develop stress fractures, leading to them breaking.

I was going to have the first one pulled but the oral surgeon won't do it without putting me under anesthesia because of the RSD. To do the anesthesia, he wants me to have about $5000 of tests to assure him I am healthy enough to go "under".... and my insurance won't pay for any tests for any reason, unless I pay the $5000 co-pay first. They won't put these tests against my deductible because they are for dental work, which my current insurance does not cover. I just cannot afford it.

My RSD pain doc says I should get a ganglion block then have the teeth pulled without anesthesia. She sent a letter to the oral surgeon, but he won't do it. I could afford this option.

My RSD is in the lower left jaw area, and that is where one of the teeth is that is broken. I am really scared of getting that RSD all riled up if I have that tooth pulled. Or, it spreading to the other side of my face where the other two are broken. I'm between a rock and a hard place!

So far, the teeth are holding up, even though they are half gone. When one breaks down to the root, or if they become painful, I guess I will have to go to another surgeon, or to the local teaching university and try to get all 3 taken out.

My other choice is to wait until medicare kicks in from being on disability - another year and a half away. They might not cover pulling the teeth, but my dentist thinks they will cover the pre-operation testing.

Dear Breezy55,
I, like you, and others have had nothing but teeth problems especially the last year and a half. Since April 1st last year I have had two crowns and at least 10 fillings done. I've had rsd now six years and I feel the meds have contributed to their demise. I have rsd in my mouth (everywhere it's full body). I owe my dentist $2,200.00 which will take me probably ten years to pay off. Thankfully he takes payments. I had another crown done a year ago and have had nothing but problems with it too (top back right side). Sat night the whole crown (tooth) just fell off!!! I have to wait til tomorrow or Wed to get it fixed as I have a stub for a tooth. I have needed root canal on it (and another tooth) for over a year now and have been fighting it. At $700.00 per tooth and no dental ins it gets real expensive. I never had problems with my teeth before rsd and would go months/years with no cavities. In October 2010 I went to bed without a cavity and woke up (several hours later) with a cavity. I have teeth crack and break constantly. Most decay seems to be starting at the gumline so I call dentist asap and get them filled.

Not only do we have constant pain but teeth problems too. The fun never stops. I do use Listerine Total mouthwash (it's purple) and is anti-cavity formula. I rinse every night with it. Good luck with your teeth. Oh, I even take calcium too. Nothing seems to stop it. kathy d

I never would have thought this, but wow. It describes what has been happening to me to a tee! I think I might have to do a bit more research. I'm shocked, especially about the medicines. I have been on Lyrica for almost 4 years, since then my teeth have gotten horrible!

Re/Re/Tooth Loss!
 

First of all,I wanted to thank all of you for your feedback. When I last went to my dentist he now gave me a prescription for SF 5000 Plus,with 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Prescription Dental Cream. It say's to use at bedtime,also not to eat,rinse or drink anything after using this for 1/2 hour. So far I can not tell if it has made a difference? I will post more when I know more. Also I cannot take Lyrica,it caused extreme swelling all over my body. I actually had to be hospitalized! This RSD is really starting to get to me! Also with all this going on,my Mom has less than 2-3 month's before she passes on from having Alzheimer's! She is at home with my Dad and lot's of care giver's. She is now on home hospice,she has a hospital bed set up in their dinning room. As of 4 days ago she is no longer taking any food's or liquid's! Please your prayer's would be helpfull! :smileypray: Love To all! Breezy55

Dear Breezy55,
I am so very sorry to hear about your mother being so ill. One of the worst things for people with chronic pain is stress...it causes havoc on your body. Talk to your mom. When people are unconscious they can usually hear us talking so talk to her as if you would all the time. You need to say things before she passes as everyone usually feels better that they have spoken to people before they pass. It is part of the grieving process. I know I have had a harder time with those that passed quickly. I will keep your mom and you (and your family) in my prayers each night. PLEASE take care of yourself.

I know rsd will get to you but you need to cry or scream or whatever you need to do (a quiet dark room always calms me down and I pray) to get it out of you. Then, you can go back to just trying to survive with rsd.

Update on dentist...I had my teeth cleaned last week (bad pain for days) and have three small cavities that must be filled. One of my two teeth needing root canal is really causing alot of pain lately and I took some penicillin the last two days and it seems to be relieving it for a bit. I will keep you in my prayers tonight.
kathy d

I too have issues with my teeth and I'm on 28 years old so it's not related to the aging process. In fact, I have always been extremely particular about taking care of my teeth by brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. I'm missing 2 molars (had them pulled post CRPS with no issues of spreading but my CRPS is in the lower half of my body).
I think my teeth issues are being caused from clenching my jaw down everytime I have bad pain which is everyday at this point in time. I haven't lost anymore teeth (1.5 years since my last tooth incident) since switching my toothpaste to arm and hammer brand. It really works great for me as I highly recommend it. I hope everyone is having a great start to their weekend.
Sarah

Me as well. My oral surgeon said it's a combination of dry mouth due to meds, especially the Lyrica, and clenching my teeth due to pain. Thankfully mine is covered by insurance.

For those who aren't covered by insurance, look for free/low-cost dental clinics around you, or find a teaching hospital. Many will take on cases such as ours for the learning aspect of it.

Oh, the other thing that the dentist had me do is switch to Prevident (prescription) toothpaste. You might want to give that a try as well.

teeth and rsd
 

z

I don't understand why it matters about you having your rsd in the lower part of body?

HI Breezy55,

So,so sorry about your mom. We are also dealing with my grandmother and Alzheimer's. It a relentless disease. I will pray for her.

I had the same problem with the Lyrica, gained 70lbs, have lost 30 of it but it is so hard.

I also had the same problem with my teeth and also prescribed SF 5000 and also a medication in pill form that would bring the saliva back to my mouth so it would not be so dry. Sorry it was a while ago and I forget the name but do remember it began with an "R". On a positive side since I have decreased my medications since my ketamine infusions I don't have the problem with my teeth anymore. How it was explained to me is that many medications dry out your mouth which causes decay. It has nothing to do with any many times a day you brush your teeth, it's the dryness. My dentist said the saliva helps keep the decay away. I hope this helps.

Gabbycakes