Dental Problems

Just wondered if anyone else has had to struggle with dental problems related to fibro (or its ugly stepsisters bruxism, TMJ, dry mouth, etc).

 

I've been on a 2 year odyssey of root canals, crowns, and pain(not hygiene related), and I'm wondering if other fibromites have had similar experiences. 

 

So far, I've spent enough on my mouth to buy a small car, and I'm still having problems.  It seems that I'm grinding my teeth to death.  I've tried several different mouth guards, but to no avail. I've seen several dentists (no one around here specializes in TMJ or FMS), but they don't seem to have any answers.  Frankly, I don't think they've ever come across anyone like me. 

I have the same problem, grinding my teeth, and finally my dentist made me a plastic bite splint, which has saved my teeth. It fits perfectly. The ones you buy at the drugstore do not work. Ask you dentist if he can make you one. They really are the only ones that work. It took me three months of having the splint adjusted correctly, but it was worth it. If your bite is off, it can cause tremendous jaw, ear,
neck and shoulder pain. Also you might want to try Biotene mouthwash and toothpast, as this helps with dry mouth and tartar control

AustenFan-
I'm out the door but will reply to this later! I could have written this post. I have All of the above. GamJill

The dry mouth is taking a toll on my gums which is very disheartening to me. I try so hard to take care of my teeth and gums. I don't normally chew gum but I do believe I will be buying some with the Xylitol in it.

luv and hugs

Marlee 

FYI to everyone with pets!  Xylitol is poisonous to animals!  I know that sounds crazy-dogs don't chew gum, right?  But, I have seen dogs eat some of the craziest things (OMG-you don't even want to know! ).  Anyway, just a little pet safety info.

 

OK, Austen, back to your question.

 

I could have written your post, also.  For years I suffered from horrible dental problems-dry mouth, pain, root canals, crowns (probably more than you, Sherrine-not that I feel special about that, LOL), etc.  It was NOT a lack of hygeine-I was anal about my dental care.  But, my teeth started to break off at the gum line and I finally ended up looking like one of those people from Deliverence, LOL.   It also didn't help that I was in an abusive relationship.  I don't want to go into it, but let's just say that this guy "helped" me lose a few teeth.   I had horribly low self esteem because of how I looked, and I didn't have the money to get everything fixed.  So, my parents gave me possibly the best thing they could have ever given me for Xmas last year.  They gave me my smile back.   So, yeah, I'll admit it, I have dentures, but I also have my self esteem back.

 

Anyway, I also wonder if this has anything to do with fibro.  I know that someone has asked this question before.  I asked it on a lupus board that I go to, and the lupies seem to have this problem, too (but a lot of people with lupus also have fibro, and vice versa). 

 

I could have just said, "Yes, Austen.  I've had this problem, too," but would that really sound like any post of mine?  Come on, I've got to babble here at least once a day!    BTW-I'm still convinced that babbling is a fibro symptom.

Hi,
It gets really bad when your crowns have to be redone due to new cavities.

I just worked up the nerve to go back to the dentist's office. I stayed away due to some anxiety issues and fibro.

Anyway, like Kelly, I will have my smile back within the next few months.

It is so glad to hear how happy you are since you received your dentures. However, are they uncomfortable or do they hurt. I am worried about that.

I will only have partials but the thought of my not using them due to pain worries me.

Thanks, Donnaeil

Meggie & donnaeil,

 

I suppose in some weird way that it's comforting to know that I am not alone in this.  While it's very embarrassing for me to admit that I have dentures, I can't even begin to tell you how much they have helped me.

Personally, I have had no pain or dry mouth issues with the dentures.  I don't know if it makes any difference, but I have the "ultra deluxe" pair.  LOL  I'm not bragging-my parents paid for them.  Anyway, no one has any clue that I have them-that's how natural they look.  BTW-when you first get them, there may be some discomfort-especially if you get them the same day you have your teeth pulled (like I did).  But, I only took about half of the vicodin they gave me for pain.

 

I wish both of you luck.  It really is a life changing experience-in the best way possible.

Part of the reason that we all are doing the root canals, crowns and porcelain crowns is because these are relatively new procedures in dentistry and the dentists want to do as much as they can to save our teeth. Their approach is two pronged. If we keep our own teeth we generally will have better digestion and they can keep working on them! (LOL!) Once you have dentures the dentist is pretty much done with you.

Most of the WW II generation had dentures because the only way to treat deep abscesses and nerve pain was extraction which generally led to tooth migration and further tooth loss. We have new ways to salvage our own teeth but at some point it seems we have to decide whether to get them out and start with new dentures. Most dentists won't recommend this but from a business point of view I can understand their position. Financially, I can see where dentures could be an option! Pain wise, I'm not sure. What a dilemma...

Kelly, I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one with dentures. I was lucky, for my family hitosry I was late in getting mine. I didn't get them till I was 29. But yes, I went through the horrible self esteem issues especially when the "facial" teeth started going.

No, no major issues with dry mouth. I've not really noticed any major differences. But I've had them for so many years now that I don't remember a lot of it. One thing I will tell you is that when I first got them I noticed that food tasted totally different.

If you ever do end up having to get dentures I want to give 3 pieces of advice. 1. Don't get them too white they look funny. 2. Don't get them too perfectly sized (how the teeth appear). Both of those things are dead giveaways that they're false. And the final piece of advice that I learned the hard way....Don't try to eat caramels until you've had them for a while. You get the plates stuck in the caramel and your poor gums just go up and down inside the plates.

I have always had pretty good checkups and good teeth untill I was dx with fibro 2 years ago.  I have a new dentist and they keep telling me I am not careing for my teeth correctly.  I know I do in fact even more so now.  I asked them if it was due to fibro and they said flat out NO that it was my fault.  They backed down a little when I started to tell them I didn't have problems until fibro.  They then started blaming it on medications but still wouldn't let go of blameing me.  I am thinking about changing dentist as I feel they are just trying to rack up a bill.  My teeth don't hurt and I don't have bleeding gums.  Just like good doctors good dentist are hard to find but I think they are even more out of touch when it comes to fibro. 

I'm locking this thread because it's four years old and was bumped up by a spammer hawking teeth whiteners!  GRRRR  If any of our new members responded and want to start a new thread on this topic, please feel free to do so!

 

Sherrine