Dental Issues?

[Sue]

I'm curious to know if anyone has had any trouble with dental problems.   I've heard that AN folk can also have increased problems with their teeth. I think this is due to the decrease of saliva in the mouth.  I'm not sure if this is only for people who have facial paralysis, or if this is for all AN patients.   

Sue in Vancouver USA

[Kaybo]

Sue~
I have LOTS of problems with my teeth but I think 100% of mine can be attributed to the paralysis.  I have to get them cleaned more often (every 4 months instead of 6), some overlapping from chewing only on one side and some teeth that are just breaking.  Pretty sorry for someone that is not even 40 and has always taken VERY good care of my teeth!!  I never even wore braces or missed a cleaning!!  There could be worse things though!!

K   

[JerseyGirl2]

Hi, Sue,

Obviously, like everyone else, I can only speak for myself ... but I had the translab procedure last January and have had no problems with my teeth. I go regularly for cleaning and check-ups and everything was fine prior to surgery and has continued to be fine. I did not have any facial issues either pre- or post- surgery, so that may be a factor.

Catherine (JerseyGirl2)

[lori67]

I have awful dental problems since my translab.  Mostly from the paralysis, not the dry mouth.  Although I do use the Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash for the dry mouth problem to try to avoid any problems that may cause.

My problems are from my bite being way off from the paralysis on one side.  Teeth hitting each other where they shouldn't, the good side working double time, etc.  I've had a tooth pulled since my surgery (ouch!) because the increased pressure on that side made it crack where I had an old filling.  My dentist wants to wait to see how much movement I get back before we do any permanent repairs because he doesn't want to make the situation worse.  I was wearing a night guard before my 7-12, but I haven't been able to wear it since because my tongue doesn't quite work the way it used to yet and I can't swallow when i have it in.  When I was able to wear it, it did help though.

I get my teeth cleaned every 6 months and brush, floss, rinse like a crazy person.  I guess Kay is right, there are worse things, but since I have a fear of the dentist to begin with, I can hardly think of something MUCH worse!   

Lori

[Palace]

Hello Everyone,

In my profession of RDA, CDA in the "dental field," I also have my "own" first-hand story; I chipped my teeth not removing the fork with proper timing when, biting down.  This was due to the AN, nerves and timing---everything "way-off."  I bit my tongue with one half of my face numb, including the inside of my mouth.  Many of you know what I'm talking about, here! 

With night grinding---teeth wear down and have more problems.  I had a night-guard years ago.  It doesn't fit anymore and yes, the swallowing issue can be serious.  I couldn't swallow for awhile.  (everything I ate tasted like metal)

I just got finished with another root-canal procedure on a molar and one on the upper-left canine.  We all know that the chewing (mastication) teeth, take the most wear and are first to need repairs.  Stress and unforseen problems arise and frequently cause accidents related to Acoustic Neuroma patients.  (some problems caused by our stressful life-style in general and adding the AN puts us all in added risk factors)  I should never have had an accident with the canine.  I hope I don't lose it and need an implant.  I go back to the specialist in three months.  Already, the tooth doesn't feel right.  I shouldn't be aware of it all of the time, which I am.  (it's at risk of a fracture now as, it's not crowned)  I needed internal bleaching with it, too.  That was costly and two more painful procedures. 

AN people need to focus as much as possible on releaving stress and make good/smart decisions, all day long.  We aren't aware of this at first but, it really takes a "toll" on our routine.  We can get ourselves into accidents of all sorts since, we really aren't what we were before the AN tumor invaded our lives.

Be aware of what you are doing at all times; I learned the hard way........



Palace

[Lainie181818]

Hi Everyone,
Since my AN surgery I have had 2 dental implants [ $12.000 ] and 2 crowns. I still do not eat on my AN side, and I am starting to think that maybe my good side is going to need some work in the future. I am trying to re-train myself to eat on both sides but it is difficult. I still have some numbness in my gums of all places. Anyone else have that?
Lainie.

[MAlegant]

Hi Lainie,
Yes, I have numbness in my gums, tongue and teeth, but I am trying to get myself to chew on the numb side as much as possible.  It's working much better than it was, so there is improvement.  Either that or I'm just getting better at it.
Marci

[JudyT]

Hi all..........I have had dental issues from the start... 6 mos. out from CK@Stanford) 4 years ago....I have trigeminal pain episodes.....bite off....bite tongue.....swallowing (at times).....have teeth cleaned every 2 months.....I have 8 implants....4 upper left,1 upper right.....3 lower right. Jaw joint...upper right acts as if it is dislocated (left side is affected side) I have spent enough $'s in my mouth to buy a small car......no insurance either. Sooo I need to protect my investment....I'm probably over the top on maintenance but feel I must do this so I don't have to revisit the problems. To much saliva thus drooling occurs then dry mouth and feeling like my mouth is glued shut.....I have toothache symptoms in upper left.....very painful at times..(trigeminal nerve?) no nerves in those teeth either implants or root canals/crowns......go to dentist (retired professor of Dentistry at UCLA) he assures me there's nothing wrong there......must be trigeminal nerve. I just don't get it.......where do all these things come from?
Judy

[Jim Scott]

Sue:

I don't believe my AN or surgery has been a factor in my dental health.  All of my semi-annual cleaning/checkups have been good.  However, I didn't experience facial paralysis or other issues that likely would affect chewing and possibly generate dental problems.  Having had dental troubles in the past, long before my AN diagnosis and subsequent surgery and radiation, I can empathize with those who are undergoing these tribulations.  I know from experience that extensive dental work can be very stressful and usually, expensive, even with insurance, which never covers everything. 

Jim

[Sue]

Thanks everyone.  I had another crown put on several months ago and ever since then, I've had trouble.  I think that the problem lies with the fact that I am (gasp!) aging and it seems that the teeth in one's mouth tend to "fall forward" as you age.  I have had trouble getting my "bite" correct since this last crown went in, and it's rather frustrating.  Also I have to visit on Monday the Endodontist, who will go into my gum on the outside and dig around at the bottom of the root of that same tooth, because the x-ray looks like I have a tiny bit of metal in there.  I am sure this is the result of problems I had with that tooth 30 years ago.  Although I did mention that this may be an Alien Implant, and since he doesn't seem to have a sense of humor, that went over like a lead balloon!      That is not AN related, but I'd like to discuss with the Endodontist any concerns or potential problems I might have that would be AN related.    Thanks for all your input.


Sue in Vancouver, USA

[Brendalu]

Sue,
As I sat reading all of the dental issues I had a tooth crack and a huge piece break off.  I realize that a lot of my dental issue are from chemo and radiation many years ago, but it seems like I have had a lot more issues since the AN surgery.  Floss, many daily brushings and a six month checkup were all that was needed.  Now it is the expensive "deep" cleaning annually and many fillings and crowns.
Good luck with your dental issues and your dentist!

Brenda

[jazzfunkanne]

my teeth have been fine, but the dentist told me i have a dry mouth and i have  too try and stimulate the saliva glands by sucking on SMINTS or chewing gum if this fails i have to get stimulating tablets from the doctor.

[janitorx]

Yes!  I've had a cracked filling and a crown that broke off.  Fortunately, these two teeth are adjacent.  All of this happened about 8 months post-op.  I was not pleased to fork over several hundred dollars for a bridge!

[lifeisgood]

Very very interesting.
I also have more dental issues than before.
After my surgery, I cracked 3 of my molers.  They had been filled less than 2 years prior.
I had crowns put on them.
I was a 6 month cleaning gal but missed a few appointments (ok 18 month later) and I am now
dealing with lots of cavities.  Granted, a few of these silver fillings were put in way back in 1972 but my teeth feel
much more sensitive and I know the facial weakness issue has a lot to do with it.

I wear an NT1 device which does not allow me to completely close my mouth at night.  The bite guard didn't do anything great
for me since I clench and grind.

I am hoping that I don't have to have a root canal on the 2 teeth I had filled.  He said that it could go either way depending on the sensitivity I
feel in that tooth.  Shooting pain yesterday but it subsided.
I am also 45 but was surprised at how many times I have gone to the dentist for repairs the last couple of years.
It makes sense based on these posts.


Happy brushing and flossing.
Mary

[Sue Vogel]

I was glad to see Sue's post regarding dental issues.  I started having problems at 10 weeks post op.  First is was just tooth pain on the AN side.  I could not tell for certain which tooth actually hurt.  My dentist did an Xray, and it showed nothing abnormal.  A week later, a large piece of the back molar (AN side) broke off on Christmas eve.  I had it filled the following Monday and have felt nerve pain on that side every since.  In the morning, it feels like I am chewing on aluminum foil when I touch it with my tongue.  I did not realize that I wasn't producing saliva on the AN side until I had the tooth filled.  I just noticed that I was thirsty more often.  Now it seems that saliva IS being produced on the AN side, but the entire side feels metalic.  It's very uncomfortable.  I don't have any paralysis, but I don't produce tears on the AN side.
Has anyone else experienced that metalic feeling?

SUE