Teeth and Gum pain

[mrsnutz]

I’ve always suffered with bad sensitivity in my teeth and gums but last December I had my teeth cleaned by a different Hygienist. I have had many cleanings before but this one felt different. Since December I have been in pain every single day but my dentist says teeth and gums are fine. I no longer can bear to eat any foods and have developed a fear of food now that I’m being prescribed meal replacement shakes. My Dr wants me to try Nortriptyline but I hate medication as all the side effects. I’m suffering badly with both my mental health and physical health all because of this hygienist clean. My dentist could never see me as was always booked up so said if I went private I would be seen that week so I did. I can’t afford all these appointments and still hard to get to see her. I’m due for another clean soon but I’m terrified so having to be sedated costing over £700. I’m angry, upset don’t no what to do as my life feels terrible now. The daily pain is unbearable and no one seems to care. It’s made me feel suicidal especially as I can’t eat anymore. What could the hygienist have done to me to cause all this. I just can’t take anymore of this life.

I’m 56 and my periods stopped about 10 years ago due to being underweight so not sure if it’s connected or not.

Have you seen anyone else apart from your Dentist if so have they given you any answers. I just can’t understand when the Dentist knows how much we are suffering they don’t refer us to all the specialists that could hopefully help us. I want my lower teeth out so much but the dentist refuses which in my eyes is stupid because my teeth are not doing the job there meant for ie eating etc. I don’t even smile that much as it can set the pain off. She said keeping your natural teeth is better but I disagree as why should I suffer everyday and not eat. I absolutely fear the dentist now and as my back teeth are playing up I’m scared she’s going to say I need treatment as I’ve heard from so many people who suffer like us that any treatment can make the pain worse . I never thought teeth could cause so much unhappiness and pain.

Yeah I’ve also seen a max facial specialist at the dental hospital twice and because I get so upset when I’m there one because my massive fear of the dentist now and also the pain and not being able to eat the effect it’s had on my life. He first said TMJ and oral dysaesthesia - take more amitriptyline but I can’t as it makes me really drowsy and I have 3 young children but last time just referred me back to GP for counseling not that I have anything against it I just know that it’s not going to help the pain I’m in or get to the bottom of the problem it’s so frustrating and has just ruined my life to be honest and I’m sure you feel the same- I just feel like no one is really interested at the end of the day they all go home and get on with there lives and feel just left to live with it.
sorry to sound negative just feel so deflated like I’m not getting anywhere

I was diagnosed 8years ago with trigeminal neuralgia. This sounds exactly the same. I had an mri, nothing sinister there thank god. Im currently taking tegretol for the pain. Its the only med that works. Its generally not down to teeth problems so hold on to your teeth.
Its the exact pain your all explaining. Try being referred to a neurologist. Your gp can prescribe tegretol, not much else will work.
Mine has been put down to hormone changes as no nerve damage found

Amitriptyline didnt touch it, just knocked me out

Thanks for you msg who diagnosed that as it hasn’t been mentioned in any of my appointments- also what symptoms did you have?
do you have any side affects from the medication ?
sorry for the questions just really interested if it could be the same

My gp diagnosed initially then referred me to a neurologist who im still under. She was conserned at first that it could have been Ms. So its best to get referral. Gum pain, face pain, any touch, smile, eating, brushing teeth, talking, even the wind in my face would trigger crippling spasms. It radiated up my face, one side, even the tip of my nose some days. Its pain you cant explain until you've suffered it. My Gp initially started me on tegretol 100mg twice a day & pain eased within minutes. The side effects on low dose are minimal, & to be able to carry on with life makes the effects less noticeable

@Milanrae look up trigeminal neuralgia & see if what you're experiencing is the same. Its so debilitating. Some days i dont want to talk as the pain triggers

Thank you, I have wondered if it’s that and do get the sharp pains but I also hav me a constant ache this is what I think caused me to think maybe it’s not that. I do wonder why my dr hasn’t referred me to neurologist not sure if I should maybe try a new dr.

Also do you know what yours was caused by ?

Yes I feel exactly the same as the dentists don’t care like you say. I wish they suffered with it then they would understand what we are going through . Im not taking any medication as everyone I’ve tried made me feel terrible and I’m disabled with mobility so meds make me dizzy which isn’t good as I fall easily. I’ve already broken my hip from falling. Im really at the end of my tether with this pain as I wake up and the first thing I think about is teeth. I absolutely hate going to the dentist as have no trust in them anymore. I never want to go out cause of the pain so that’s making my depression worse. I hate the weekends as think oh no the dentists are closed. Christmas is awful not being able to enjoy anything. I have no idea how to get REAL help as I can’t live the rest of my life like this. It must be hard for you especially with children to look after. Im not going to give up I’m going to find someone that can diagnose me and treat me or just take my teeth out. I no I could cope with just gum pain better as I would keep checking my teeth to see if there’s a hole or something and no more hygienist cleanings every 3 months. Im seeing a different dentist on Monday as mine left but I’m still terrified. If I need a filling or extraction I will need sedation and my practice doesn’t do it. I hate living like this I just wish it would go away then I could start living again. Have you seen a neurologist?

What side effects do you get as I’ve tried Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline and Gabapentin all of them made me bad. I haven’t had a diagnosis they all just say nothing is wrong but obviously there is. My pain is mainly deep gum pressure that radiates pain up into the teeth.

@Milanrae it can also cause a continious dull pain. A friend of mine has the same and hers is a constant dull pain. Its worth looking into to get treated before it escalates

I’m thinking mine is Trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain but no one has given me a diagnosis yet. I’m waiting for for an MRI hopefully that will show what’s causing it. Are you on any medication and if yes does it work and side effects.

@mrsnutz My Gp initially started me on tegretol 100mg twice a day & pain eased within minutes. The side effects on low dose are minimal, & to be able to carry on with life makes the effects less noticeable

That sounds promising and glad it’s helping you. I’m very sensitive to meds but will look this up. Thank you.

@mrsnutz im also very sensitive ti meds. Luckily never needed them up until this came on 8 years ago. Tegretol has been life changing for me. Trigeminal neuralgia is so debilitating, it stole my life. Dont get me wrong i still get bad episodes but the meds do help. Im also having acupuncture, which i strongly believe is working in decreasing my pain. I have 100%linked my diagnosis with menopause & hormone change. If you research you will find this is quite common. I noticed earlier that one of the ladies on here, her pain triggered during pregnancy, im sure that could have been down to fluctuating hormornes. Although i may be wrong.
Hope you get your sorted soon 🤞🏼

I agree it could be down to hormones but my periods stopped a long time ago just like that but I was very underweight which I still am. The daily pain has stolen my life as I don’t want to go out anywhere as always in pain. I did look up the side effects of this medication and it was quite long but then there the same no matter what medication you take. As I’m disabled I have to be careful with meds as if they make you dizzy then I’m already prone to falling. I’m having an MRI soon not that I’m looking forward to that as suffer bad anxiety but I have to try and find out what’s going on. I just wan5 to feel happy again as these last 3 years have been awful. I broke my hip and this pain started in 2021 immediately after having my teeth cleaned.

Hopefully yours is a tooth problem & it gets sorted. I know how you feel tho. Im so very unsociable because of this, also changed my mood & i dread working as i work on a surgical ward, so have to keep a smile on my face for the patients, and i dont always want to 😔

I hope the dentist goes okay today please let me know how it goes X

Just been to the Dentist and she said my pain is due to bone loss and ok at the moment but I may need all my teeth removed and have dentures. I’ve wanted my teeth taken out for ages but old dental said no. I will see how they go as having lower dentures are harder than having top dentures but will research this. It would be great though no more check ups, fillings etc and teeth cleanings but it’s a big decision. Very expensive as well as now I’m private to have teeth removed and a denture made your looking at about £3500.

Hi thanks for letting us know how you got on - I’m wondering why you need your teeth out as if there saying the pain is from bone loss isn’t that what you get when you have teeth out so if you have them all out you will be in more pain ??
well done for going to the dentist anyway, are you going to get a second opinion ?

Yep im wondering the same. Isnt boneloss down to age?

Its good to know that your pain isnt trigeminal neuralgia though. Wouldnt wish this on anyone.

I’m guessing the bone loss is exposing the roots of my teeth which is causing bad sensitivity to be honest I’m confused and have asked her to email me with the exact details and reasons and possible outcome. I never seem to take in everything they say at appointments think I will start recording them 🤣

Hi Sam,
I can’t be sure if it’s not Trigeminal Neuralgia as never seen this dentist before as she took over from my dentist that left. M6 old dentist never mentioned bone loss to me so I’m not 100% sure I trust her so need a second opinion but maybe with a periodontist trouble is I can’t find one.