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Posted 7/24/2008 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I had a routine dental cleaning yesterday.  My dentist and Hygenist (?) both know that I have fibro and are very supportive.  My problem is that my teeth are rotting from the dry mouth caused by my medication.  I have done all that they have suggested.  I brush with special tooth paste, floss and use a special mouth rinse but things are getting really bad.  We also had a discussion about burning tongue.  I thought that my occassional tongue burning was caused by eating food that was to hot but the hygenist said that it is another side effect of the dry mouth.  Does anyone else have this problem?  Any suggestions, I really don't do well in the chair, I have a lot of facial spasms and jaw aches and usually leave with a headache.

Meggie

Posted 7/24/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)

Meggie,

 

This is a subject that is near and dear to me.  I, too, began to have my teeth literally rotting out of my mouth because of the dry mouth syndrome.  This started when I was about 22-when I had to get my first root canal.  Of course, at the time, I didn't know that I had fibro, so I just thought it was one of those things.  But, as the years went by, things got worse.  I was always having problems with root canals and teeth that would just break.  BTW-this wasn't because of lack of dental care.  I tried desperately to maintain my dental health-even going to the dentist to have my teeth cleaned 4 times a year, instead of the usual 2 times.  But, things really started getting bad a few years ago, and not only did my teeth suffer, my self esteem did, too.  Believe me, it was horrible walking around with my teeth looking like I had been chewing on rocks! sad

 

So, this past Xmas, I made the ultimate, "no turning back now," decision.  I chose to have my rotten teeth pulled and get dentures.  Yes, this is very embarrassing for me to admit-I'm 36 years old and I wear dentures. redface   But, my self esteem has sky rocketed and I'm not afraid to smile anymore.  Besides, these "teeth" I have look amazing.  Seriously, I haven't met anyone (including my close friends) who have any idea that I'm wearing dentures.  They all think I've gotten veneers.

 

Anyway, I hope it helps to know that you are not alone in this, and I understand what you are going through.  Hopefully, you won't end up like me, but if you do, please know that dentists and endodontists can do amazing things with "teeth," including implants.

 

BTW-I also had a bad time in "the chair" due to trauma as a child with a bad dentist.  You are very lucky to have found a dentist that is so supportive, understanding, and doesn't look at you like you don't ever brush your teeth.

 

Alrighty, I don't know if I've helped in any way, but I just wanted you to know that I've been there.  Good luck! :-)

Posted 7/24/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
The only thing that I can suggest is to try and drink a lot of water. I put lemon in mine and it tastes better. Also get vite C from the lemon.

Maybe suck on candy that makes your mouth water? I am not sure if that is such a good idea. Sometimes thinking of something sour makes your mouth water...

I know I am not much help, but I think that the water would be a good idea.

hugs, Karen...
Posted 7/24/2008 7:08 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you, very helpful!! I do drink a lot of water, so much I feel like I'm going to float away some days.  I also carry a bottle with me everywhere and have a spray for drymouth that I keep in my purse.  I knew in January that I was having this problem and have been extra careful so I was just so suprised when the hygenist told me I had a lot of decay.  I guess this is just another ugly side of fibro.

Thanks again,

Meggie

Posted 7/24/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meggie,

 

Sorry to hear the dentist didnt go so well.  I am terrified of dentists,have been since way back when they pulled that rubber stuff over my teeth and I started chocking and they wouldnt take it off!!  I had to reach in and tear the rubber to get a breath.  I have tried not to hold this against future dentists but the fear is always there and I do not go as often as I should.  But I guess after reading yours and Kellys post I should.  I too suffer from extreme dry mouth with my meds and since starting on the Lyrica its gotten worse.  I literally wake up in the middle of the night with absolutly no moisture in my mouth I am talking bone dry.  I can put my fingers in there and feel nothing wet and its hard to even swallow once I get some water because my throat doesnt want to close but I never thought of it causing dental problems.

 

And for you my dear Kelly(a smart arse after my own heart =)  My hubby Jay is in desperate need of at least a partial plate and he is only 32(yep robbed the cradle as I am 48)  HIs problems stem from years with no dental care even as a child and years of drinking coke.  He already had one big scare a few years ago when a molar absessed and the infection was headed down his neck.  He looked like the freakin elephant man his face was so swollen and it dislocated his jaw!  By the time he hit the Er they did emergency surgery and told him he was lucky he didnt get sepsis.  But he has no dental insurance and he already has 2 moremolars that are basically gone and his front teeth are trashed.  He knows that this bugs the hell outta me( I met him online and didnt see him smiling til the day he showed up off a plane so didnt know about his dental health) and doesnt seem to bug him too much but it turns out all his family has had problems.  His front teeth are so far gone now that he would have to have at least a partial and about 2 months ago he snapped off one of his front teeth just eating a sandwich.  We have no idea how we can make any dental work a possibility as we have tried to work out payment plans and everyone tells us that for each thing done we have to pay upfront.  We live too far from a dental collage to get help and we called social services with no help as he makes too much to get charity work but not enough to pay for it.  I dont know if I am destined to live with a toothless hubby or what.  Nice teeth have always been a blessing in our family cept for my mom who had lost so many back teeth in her later years finally got full plates a few years ago. And a nice smile had always been a big part of me being attracted to a man so this is a biggee.  I guess I am somewhat mad at Jay for such a lack of concern and the fact that he did this to himself and still drinks soda!!!  Jeez between this and the edema thing this week.  So I guess now I go to the dentist (shudder) I did hear though that there is a pill you can get from your doc that really helps with the dry mouth as even with dentures I cant imagine that dry mouth is not good for just your soft tissues.  Take care.

 

Karen

Posted 7/24/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)

QTK,

 

I know what your Jay is going through (BTW-32, and you're 48?  You GO, girl! LOL). tongue    I actually had dental insurance at one point, but getting everything done would still have cost me at least $2500 out of pocket.  So, after talking to my parents (and having them see my yuck mouth), they agreed to pay for everything.  But, my mom found this place in SC where I could get everything done for only about $1500 (with no insurance).  So, when I went home for Xmas last year, I got everything done there.  I was home for 2 weeks-because we thought that I would have a long recovery period.  But, actually, I healed up nicely and didn't need any pain meds after about 5 days.

 

Anyway, I totally understand about not having insurance and dentists not taking payments, etc.  I just kind of lucked into finding the place I went to.  But, I really do feel so much better about myself-and no one looks at me like I'm a monster, anymore.  I also understand how you feel about Jay's appearance.  Strangely enough, teeth are one of the first things I notice on guys.  So, if you are ever in Upstate SC, let me know.  LOL-they do everything on the same day (pulling teeth and making the dentures).  It's a little ghetto, but everything is clean and professional.  BTW-I told my mom that everyone in the town I grew up in must have false teeth.  I couldn't believe the number of people that were in that waiting room!  LOL-any chance that Jay grew up in the south? tongue

 

Meggie, I used to do the water thing, too.  But, I really hope that you can control the amount of decay you have and get on top of things.  BTW-sorry to hijack your thread to talk about dentures! redface

Posted 7/24/2008 8:19 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Meggie,

Sorry to hear you are having such a problem with your teeth.  MY dentist gave my Biotene for my serious dry mouth problem and it has worked wonders.  It comes in a toothpaste, mouth wash, spray, wipes or gum.  My daughter in law had so many problems with her teeth rotting that she just had all of her top teeth pulled and got dentures.  A few days later I heard somthing that said a cause for really bad teeth is a lack of niacin.  This may be something you might want to discuss with your doctor before you do anything drastic.

If you haven't already tried the biotene, give it a shot.

Posted 7/24/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Is it just your mouths that are dry or are your eyes and every other mucus membrane dry??? Sjogren's is an auto-immune disorder that affects your mucus membranes. There are a few others on the forum that have it besides myself. That would be a question for your doc. A rheumy is the one to ask.

 

I have not lost any teeth from dry mouth but my gums are receding and my teeth are getting very worn. Saliva washes the bacteria from your teeth so even drinking water won't work as well as saliva. My mouth gets so dry my tongue cracks open. I can't talk for any length of time without getting a sore throat from the dryness. I have tried sugarless candy and about all the over the counter things for dry mouth but they only work for a short time. Biotene toothpaste and rinse you name it. I have one saliva gland on right side under tongue that has been inlarged for quite some time.

 

The meds a lot of us take can cause dry mouth. It seems like everytime I look a new med up it is a side affect and it's the last thing I need. But all of my mucus membranes are dry.

 

Sadly, all we can do is practice good dental hygiene and see our dentist often, which reminds me I need to. I started out with great teeth that I got from my mother. I think she had lost one tooth when she died at 75. I brush, floss and rinse. Dentist understand this is a problem.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 7/24/2008 11:20 PM (GMT 0)

Gamma, I use the biotene.  I guess its not working so the dentist care me a prescription toothpaste to use at bedtime.  Another product I like is the oasis mouth spray, I carry it around in my purse.  It's also good for during the night. 

I have also read so many threads about vitamin deficiencies that I will be asking my doctor to run some tests when I see him next month.  Actually the poor guy is going to be bombarded with questions, things I have learned from you great people.

Marlee, yes I do have dry eyes that I have drops for.  I haven't asked the doctor about Sjogren's but I will be asking him and doing some research myself.  My eye prescription has been changing quickly, I have had to get new glasses twice in the past year.  I have dry skin too but I have always had that so I don't no if it's related to the fibro.

Kelly you may hijack my thread anytime, I find it entertaining.

Thanks to everyone, I am armed with some pretty good advice. 

Meggie

Posted 11/20/2011 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
my dentist told my that because i hav fibro the enamel on my teeth will begin to fall off so he suggstted i start to use senstine toothpaste with enamel hardner which i hav ben doing along with biotin mouthwash. fibro effect out eyees as well so kep up with all you appointment every year
Posted 11/21/2011 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
What? fibro causes enamel on teeth to fall of??

or is it medication??

what causes the dry mouth?

I have been having that lately and I realized it was toxins in my house..mold

what is causing you alls dry mouth? medicine? what medicine?
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