Afraid I'm going to lose all my teeth

Just spent another 2 hours in the chair, total of 16 fillings done today. Last month I had a root canal, and every tooth on the bottom right had fillings. Basically every tooth in my mouth has needed work this year. This is after I had fillings done last year too, plus had teeth pulled last year. I need 7 more fillings, that I'll do at the end of the month.

Not sure I can keep up with this. I've already maxed out my dental insurance and it just rolled over 4 days ago! Total this time I'm out about $3000. Not to mention I don't want to do this every year. I don't handle dental work very well. I've been stressed to the max over it, and my anxiety is through the roof.

But I'm only 38. I really don't want to lose them all. But maybe that's where this is headed. I have some prescription strength toothpaste to try. But he says it's my Crohn's, not anything I'm doing.

I feel your pain. Only if I do lose all my teeth, it will be through gum disease and recession. The problems with my gums began a few years ago, when I was chronically flaring, on heavy-duty drugs, etc. I'm wondering if it's the meds which do a number on our teeth rather than Crohn's itself - I suppose it's almost impossible to tell.

Wish I had some useful advice to give, but I honestly have no idea whether you'd be better off having all your teeth removed or not. Do you trust your dentist? Is seeking a second (and even third) opinion an option?

I have had a lot of teeth issues since I was dx. Many root canals and crowns. In fact, I will be scheduling another root canal soon :-/
I have had dentists treat me like it's all my fault.
One thing you may want to consider is an HMO. My policy has no yearly max and no waiting period. A root canal with an endodontist is like 1/4 of the price. It has its downsides like not many great dentists to choose from, but im trying it out anyway.

That's so unfortunate. Well, I have another suggestion. For someone susceptible to cavities, for whatever reason, sometimes it's attributed to soft enamel. There is a sort of liquid plastic coating that can be applied by your Dentist. It's been around for awhile and really works well. They usually use it on kids who don't care for their teeth as well as they should. Only downfall is that it breaks down over time. IIRC it has to be reapplied once a year.

I noticed when I started taking steroids that my gums became sensitive and receded. I also noticed sensitivity in my jaw under my front lower teeth. I was told this could be caused by bone loss in that area. I was eventually diagnosed with osteoporosis. I was very fortunate that one of my doctor's caught this, because didn't suspect it. It's a good idea to get a bone density scan if you're on steroids for very long.

My doctor recommended calcium, strontium, and vitamin K2. Last summer, after my bone density scan, the osteoporosis has gone. It took about 3 years on this regimen to reverse the condition.

I've had good luck using a sonicare toothbrush. I try to brush every night and every morning, but every night at the least.

I haven't been on Remicade very long, so I don't know how this might effect things, but the Prednisone is really hard on my body.

Steroids do affect your teeth so that makes sense if you are having dental issues
I am scheduled to go to the dentist next week and I am terrified
I have not gone in over a 18 months
and i was on ridiculously large amounts of steroids for quite some time

I have had soft teeth since a child and my parents had me at the dentist a lot. Then in 1963 at age 14 I was dx with crohn's disease and was put on prednisone 20mg 3x day for a very long time. I have had lots of fillings, teeth pulled, crowns that have fallen out and replaced. In 2014 I fell at the store and my front teeth were knocked out. Now I am going to get the rest pulled out and have false teeth replaced them. 53 years is enough. I was told that steroids ruin your bones and this means your teeth too.

Dx Crohn's 1963
On Pentasa 2 4xday, Azathioprine 50mg 1xday
DHA 600mg, Multivitamin& minerals 1per day, Vitamin D3 5000IU per day, Resveratrol 100mg 1per day, Probiotic 30billion1per day, CoQ10 100mg per day, Vitamin C Essence 1000mg per day

Jen,
I hear you, hon. I've had 4 teeth pulled myself. Something important you said though was that you had a root canal. That saved your tooth! So at least you'll save some teeth by getting root canals.
Have you ever had that fluoride foam treatment? At my dentist, it's two plastic sets they fill with foam and you put them in and essentially bite them for a little while. It's supposed to help prevent cavities. Also, there are mouthwashes now that come with fluoride in them.
I wish you the best of luck with the new dentist. I too have major anxiety about the dentist, despite spending loads of time there. They let me listen to my personal CD player when I'm there. I recommend that completely... I listen to soft, beautiful music and I really think it helps. Also, when I first started getting my teeth pulled, they gave me the laughing gas stuff. Have you ever been given anything to help calm your nerves?
If you're too nervous to say anything at the dentist, you could always just write a note and hand it to them asking for something to help calm you.