teeth and the dentist
 

How do you guys get your teeth cleaned? by me just flossing my mouth is raw and blooddy.....I have an appt july 7th for the dentist and they know about rsd and are goign to be extra cautious... but have you guys taken a xanex, or anything before to help??

Dentistry really depends on the situation. It is very important that the dentist be aware of your CRPS, and has had some experience with treating other patients. My dentist was well aware of CRPS, but hadn't had any patients with it. So together, we embarked on an "education" for him with some other dentist friends of his who did have experience.

Most "cleanings" are well tolerated, but that depends on the condition your teeth and gums are in.

In the case of an extraction or a root canal, use an oral surgeon ONLY ,and have a thorough discussion of what should be done to minimize the risk of any issues.

If you are anxious about the procedure, something to calm you down is not a bad idea.

The bottom line in my opinion is that you should not pass on routine dental work just because you have CRPS!. That is a bad strategy. Having to have a root canal or extraction due to poor routine care would be much more painful both to you and your pocketbook and riskier from a CRPS standpoint.

Keep seeing that dentist!

Hi Hannah1234,
I hear your woes about the dentist. I've had alot of problems in the last year especially. Dr. S told me a few weeks ago that having dental problems is part of rsd because blood flow is not getting up into your head...thus that is why we have so much mouth pain and dental problems (great). I find the day before the dentist I take a small dose of antibiotic for only three days or so and right after coming home from there I immediately put an ice pack that has cloth around it in all areas of my mouth and take a Tylenol. It seems to reduce the pain in my mouth. I still have pain for a few weeks (even with just a cleaning) but at least the pain is not as severe as it used to be. Good luck with the dentist. I think trying (I know it is tough) to keep positive before, during, and after the appt is helpful too. Look at it as you are improving your health.
Take care,
kathy d

Birchlake: What kind of thing to calm me down? I am really interested in it. The dentist wont perscribe anything as it is my first time going to them. xanex? I have no idea what to even take... what did you take? Because then I can ask my pain dr, or general doc to perscribe one pill for me to take before. Am I making any sense?

I was referred to her by my rsd doc.... and they are aware and alloted 2 hours instead of an hour and 15 minutes usually. I am really nervous. Just scared for whats going to happen after. I am going to talk to my dr about how to see the dentist and stuff, but still, lots of anxiety from my wisdom teeth fiasco. And from wisdom teeth I have rsd in the left side of my mouth--which makes it all worse. BIG SIGH. okay. I will get through it. I have over a month to prepare myself for it and get my rsd to the best that it can be, who knows maybe my doctor will do a block for me.

Kathy: Thanks! I am looking at it that way too. I would rather get regular cleanings and not have to get root canals or even cavities. OHHH hey do you guys know if silver fillings cause your teeth to rot? I was told that by some dentists and told opposite by others... I am going to take antibiotics for sure- thanks for bringing that idea up.

I am just wondering what kind of pill you guys take if any for the anxiety during and after.

Well I just had my cleaning last month but have had multiple cleanings because I have rsd for 4 years. I am also under orthodontic care. This time though after my cleaning I had a cavity so had to get a filling which made me anxious. I am not nervous of the dentist but of the rsd. I informed my dentist I have rsd. Not only did I inform I explained the condition how though it is not in my mouth it can spread there and extra care needs to be taken. Some doctors or dentists say they know about rsd but they don't so important to tell them. It is good though this was refered by your pain doc but I still would tell the dentist. I am ok in the mouth area since having it.
FOr you though I cna understand since rsd is in your mouth. I would call your pain doctor and talk to him pre dentist apt.
In terms of meds for you I am not sure. Could you also bring some ear phones for music? Maybe they can give you laughing gas? I know those don't keep the rsd at bay but I am talking about for the inner anxiety.
Hang in there.

Someone else may be able to tell you more....but, I've read several places about RSD & dentistry. One thing that stands out is oral injections. They can contain epinephrine. You must tell your dentist that you cannot have it. There are other options to it. Hope others have more info for you & everything goes well!! I need to go myself but have been putting it off.

Why is epinephrine contraindicated for dental work and crps?

I just had my teeth cleaned. I called before my appt and informed my dentist and the hygienist about my recent diagnosis so they would have the opportunity to look up the info on it. Thankfully I did not have any cavities. The hygienist was kind and we chatted about it before she started and she was more careful than she would normally be. All went well and I tolerated it just fine...thank goodness.
I too am interested in the epinepherine and dental work thing...I think I will ask my brother and FIL who are both dentists out of state.

J

Hi Hannah1234,
Glad I could try and give you suggestions. The dentist is not a fun time for sure but then neither is rsd haha. I do know that silver fillings release metal toxins into your body and after many years like I have had them they can leak into your bloodstream. So alot of doctors want them to be taken out and changed with the white filling which are not covered in most dental plans so you may have to pay the difference for them.

My dentist uses two different types of drills. One is quieter and not as strong with vibrations and the other one is horrible and I can't even stand it when he turns it on. So, I try to let him know I don't like the louder one. He said it makes cleaning the decay out easier but for me it makes me worse. It causes more vibrations and burning pain in me. Don't be afraid to speak up and tell your dentist (or anyone else) what you need and don't need for them to do to make your life easier. You are the consumer and should be as comfortable as possible esp with rsd. It is such a juggling act all the time.

Ballerina mentioned above about the epinephrine and I know my dentist told me before that they use that for all their patients but he does not use it for me. I am sooo sensitive to touch/cold/sound/etc. I believe he said it works like an enhancer for the numbing pain to work faster or longer I can't remember which one it is.

Also, the doctors use both fast-acting and slow-acting novacaine or a mixture of both. He still uses needles which hurt me for days but he and his staff accomodate me all the time (and he takes payments). For whatever reason I cannot use the fast-acting one because it causes my ears to clog up, I get dizzy lying flat, and I feel like I am going to faint. The medicine is called Mepivicaine 3%. I used it many years and then in the last year I started having a reaction to it. I had a pain patch and thought it reacted to that but I've been off of it and still have the reaction so it is just not good for me to use.

I think it is also important for me to get a really good night's sleep (or at least try) the night before any dental appts (as with anything) and I try to schedule it when my pain is usually lower (mornings are not good for me at all). You have to do whatever keeps you relaxed...if you need Xanax, Tylenol, etc. use what you need. Best of luck to you and let us know how you make out with your dental visit. Hope some things will help you.
kathy d

Thank you thank you thank you. I think I am going to go for the xanax... I have never taken it but I heard it helps relax me. I can barely even floss my teeth because the rsd is in my mouth...

Thank you guys so much. My appt is july 7th, and I will let you know what my doctor says when i see him in 2 weeks and how the appt goes. It just scares me.