Pred can do it yes. He's on that as well. :) Be careful with calcium pills, if you're on meds that mess with your intake (as I believe you are) your body can get confused and turn it into nice little calcium stones! :) Not fun! Try just drinking more milk or eating dairy, it's a more natural way for your body to process it. Or, if you take pills just try cutting them in half.
RA can effect of teeth. Mainly in the form of sjorgens. InflammationYou wouldn't really know it by looking at it.....but mine are in pretty bad shape too.
I ended up having a root canel about a month ago because I've been a tad (K~Major) dental phobic for years.
I'm seeing a really great dentist that I love and he said he didn't really consider my problems related to the meds or RA as much as over all neglect on my part.
I've still got several things that need to be done; but the price of it all is what's scaring me away right now. I've got great health insurance but that's not helping me any with my dental problems. That root canel alone was over ,000!! Luckily my husband paid cash for it that day.....but I hate to have to go back now. I will soon though but I hate being that kind of finacial burden on my fairly new husband. I don't want to go through another episode like with that last tooth. HOLY COW; that hurt!!
I've got to have all four wisdom teeth pulled too. That's going to be a major hassel.....and a heck of a lot of pain from what I understand. Not too anxious to get that done either.
Thanks for the reminder Roxy. I'd almost been able to put this worry out of my head for a while.
I have a MAJOR phobia of teeth. Can't look at them, or diagrams of them or pictures or think about them, yet remain slightly obsessed with them. I caqn't go to the dentist without a sedative, even then it takes a hell of a lot to get me there.
Please can sopmeone clarify what Prednoisolone does to teeth. I can't read this thread properly bacause you guys keep mentioning teeth issues that I can't bring myself to look at ! Paniiiiiiiiic!
Thanks, love
Carys -x-
Trust me.....I understand that. The gas is the only thing that got me through it.
Over time it can be bad; but your physical well being might depend on predisone so don't refuse it because of your teeth. Try to get regular check ups. (I never thought you'd hear me say that!) and you'll be ok.
I know how you feel. You aren't alone.
OMG this is not good my teeth are not great to start with I have one major more than major fear of the dentist. I dont go, last time I went they said everything I needed was 3,000 above what insurance would pay. So it was very easy to just say we cannot afford that and i havent been back that was in 04' now RA has hit. I am scared very very very scared. YUCK dentist!!!!!!!Hi Roxy - don't know about the meds, but you might find this article about the effects of RA on teeth interesting: http://www.icnr.com/cs/cs_23.html
(I must confess to not having read it thoroughly myself, though - so I'm unsure of it's relevance)
RA has dramatically changed our financial situation. My family is broke ! I want to buy one of those really good teeth cleaning jet spray machines. Maybe someday we will have money again but right now - we can't even pay co-pays. Trying to buy a house has been the last straw on our finances but with ra, who wants to move twice??????
Clean teeth do not rot!!!
Dry mouth makes for gum disease and tooth decay.
Gum disease, step 2, is a real infection. When I had active peridontal disease my RA was at it's very worst ever. I don't know if there is a real connection.
I get my teeth cleaned 3 times a year , brush 2 times a day and floss once. (I used to brush 3 times a day and after sugary treats but I've gotten lazy.) I have not had a new cavity in about 12 years! I sure wish I had known how to brush and floss correctly when I was a kid, I went through the motions, but always had decay and plaque at every check-up. All back teeth had giant fillings by age 17.
I did have 2 teeth die under crowns and so had to have root canals, and I have broken 3 teeth with giant fillings that I chose to have crowned... but no decay and no gum disease of any kind for 12 years.
GIrlfriend you give me hope!!
I'll admit I have been stupid phobic!! I hadn't been in such a long time because I was embarrashed and down right scared!! My husband sat in the frecking room with me when I had to have that EMERGENCY root canel. I had to go to my parents dentist who I'd never seen before in my life but my parents have been seeing for years. I didn't have a dentist since I got my braces off!! That's been quite a while. I guess something in that experience (Plus I've been super poor and single for years) made me super phobic.
You know what....it wasn't that bad. Course I was really juiced on the gas because I had called the one of the nurses my Mom had told me to talk to. She'd told the doctor and nurse that were treating me to be really gental...I was scared to death! They were so kind and made me feel really at ease. Plus; one REALLY embarrashing part, the doctor knew my husband! (From their Country Club years ago. They were both big golfers.) He walked in and said "STAN!" I thought I would die.
My point is; I ended up getting a brand new crown and I feel so much better about the situation I'd let get WAY out of control. I could easily go back now without fear.....but it's still a really big expense. That's what's keeping me away now.
I have learned to take better care of my teeth; but I did try pretty hard before. I have a hard time flossing though for some reason. I need the water pick thing too.
You know what I realized; my pain tolerance is better than I thought....Or that gas was really good!! It didn't really hurt that much. After all I've been through; it wasn't that bad.
Oh my gosh.. I have spent EVERY dime I can possibly spend on my teeth since RA and all. It's been a horrible experience with the meds and the dentist. My dentist even has stated that it's partially the meds that contribute to our horrible teeth experiences.
I certainly hate to hear that! I've just begun my expense. My new favorite dentist gave me an estimate of the damage. I've got to spend about ,000 in the next year to get mine in good shape.
I'd honestly like to do that......but there's this thing called life....and power bills.....and car insurance......and telephone bills......doctor bills.......clarinets......softball uniforms. Well you my point.
And here I was thinking I was FINALLY on the finacial up swing
Roxy~I'd once again like to thank you for bringing up this topic
It's good stuff.