I already rescheduled my cleaning once because I couldn't handle the thought of the scraping my teeth noise with my head and jaw pain. My appointment is coming up and now I'm worried what all that noise and work in my mouth will be like.
Any tips for surviving this? Should I reschedule again? Is it not as bad as I fear?

Thanks!
Starr

I had a crown replacement few weeks which partially broke. Went to dentist and he said it broke awkward and said has to remove, take impression, order and fit it. I said ok go ahead and he said it is going to be easy but then after a while he realized it is going to tough.

Lots of grilling, noise, breaking for about 2 hours (of course he numbed that part) and even touched my gums which sent pain waves through my entire head, face etc., (with my consistent PCS symptoms few times I thought I am going to pass out). Well I survived and dental assistant was worried I will be in lot of pain and gave me 800 mg IBUPROFEN. Turned out to be I didn't have to take (surprisingly) and in a day went back to normal PCS dizziness, PCS pain, PCS headache etc., (how said it became part of life now

2 weeks later I went to fit my crown and this time I took some Xanax (.125 mg is good for me). I quit Xanax and now I started taking on a need only basis and my doctors are ok with it (or tired of me complaining and now they are ok with anything I say one doctor even ok with stem cell therapy). It sure helped very well to tolerate everything and was a piece of cake with no dental pain.

If you have never taken Xanax don't try it since you need to know the effects and can be very addictive. For me that is a rescue med (brings down all my symptoms and even gives me energy) and I won't get addicted (hopefully) and I dont take for sleep.

Compared to that if you are going for only dental cleaning probably nothing to worry about. I have to say probably and you know why. Each person is different. But don't get scared and face the fear

Good luck and hope you have a pleasant experience.

Hi Starr,

I was very worried for my first cleaning after my injury, but as long as you explain what makes you comfortable, it should be ok.I have had three cleanings since then and they have all been fine. I wore earplugs and my noise canceling headphones and had them place a towel under my neck. As long as the noise is blocked out, it is not that bad.I took tylenol before I went, just to make sure. If you can listen to relaxing music and make sure they know to be gentle And get a ride if possible.

Pcslife, sorry to hear about your adventure at the dentist.I also had an unpleasant experience. This past week I found out that I had a cavity that needed to be filled. I had no idea that I would have so much trouble. The dentist attempted to numb me with about seven needles. She then started drilling a small hole but I could feel everything. Because she had already started, she had to fill the hole, and I have never experienced pain like that at the dentist.

Needless to say, I had to go back to have it finished. It took 2 hours for a small cavity. If you need to have extra work done, make sure that it is very numb.Have them wait as long as necessary. I had to wait about 30 minutes and then more needles and waiting.I needed to take some vicodin before and after. I guess my nerves are just so sensitive. The second dentist mentioned that she had to numb some type of ligament and that seemed to help me.

I think what helps my teeth is my Sonicare toothbrush. I was unable to go to the dentist for about 1 year after my injury and both the dentist and hygenist said it made all the difference.I think everyone with PCS should probably avoid cavities as much as possible

The dentists I have seen since the brain injury that I sustained both knew enough about brain injuries to make sure I was ok. I had no real issues from a cleaning I had almost a year ago and didn't return for a second cleaning because it was too difficult for me to get a ride. I recently had a temporary and permanent crown "installed" (?) and I just had trouble with the bright light that the dentist uses to see better in the mouth. She said she could tell I was sensitive to light; funny enough I don't feel sensitive at all compared to how bad I was the first year after the injury. I also became very fatigued from just the experience itself and needed extra rest afterwards.