MS and dental problems

[msarkie]

Has anyone experienced dental problems since being dxd? I used to have great teeth, hardly ever even needed cleaning, and now on Monday I have to have 4 or 5 fillings and a crown. Also since being dxd, Novocaine shots do not numb me anymore. The last few fillings I had I could still feel the drill.

I've switched to an oral surgeon who can put me out to work on my teeth. We talked some about how MS affects your dental health, and I was curious what others here have experienced.

Now my DH is on the warpath to find some way of preventing more cavities, since this is setting us back about $2500. Have you heard anything from your dentist or dr about special care? The chronic inflammation has an effect, as well as the dry mouth caused by some of the meds.

Share your knowledge!

[Snoopy]

Hi, msarkie.

Yikes! Sorry your dealing with dental problems.

I have never had my dentist or neuro mention a connection between MS and dental problems. I have also not had dental problem other than 2 fillings in all of these years.

[FinLady]

My dentist has other patients with MS, and he says a lot of the meds we have to take can cause havoc on our dental health. He says my teeth are fine, but the dry mouth from the meds are starting to hurt my gums.

Per his instuction, I use the toothpaste with baking soda in it and I use a mouthwash that has no alcohol in it. Oasis is the one I use, but I believe there's another one that target sells that's a little less expensive. I believe it's called Tom's

[lady_express_44]

I think Finlady is right about the meds potentially causing problems.

I don't use many meds, so I can't use that excuse . . . but I have had bad teeth (and MS) for years. Please be careful with your crowns:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...highlight=caps

Cherie

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

I also think it could be meds you are on and not necessarily any MS Connection.

Have you had a oral pred or IVSM infusions? Do you take any meds for headaches such as Topamax? Just a couple of the ones I take that have known causes for dental problems.

Also asking Byranna in the dental forum is a good place to start. She's a wealth of information.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/download.aspx?id=73 this is the dental health brochure from the NMSS. It doesn't specifically list the medications but does say there are some medications that we take that could effect dental health.

[kami]

Sarki,
sorry you are having problems, I am afraid I know what you are going thru. I was recommended to Biotene products, they do help some, but nothing is perfect. I think
some of the meds I take for allergy are the worst culprits, but can't function without them.
I recently quired a partial plate that has made life a lot drier. I wear it when I go out or visit, but can't deal with the dry feeling on a regular basis.

Be ever so careful about infection in the bad teeth...I know how the hubby can hit the
roof over things like this, but landing in the hospital with osteomeylitis wouldn't thrill
him much more. And any MS symptoms can be aggravated by infection or stress caused
by dental pain.

Good luck, k