I am currently dealing with an abscessed tooth.......this is day 10.......I am taking antibiotics and will probably be getting it pulled this week hopefully. My lupus is flaring worse through all this, especially the lupus headaches, I think ALL my symptoms really have been worse. Has any one else had to deal with an abscessed tooth with lupus? I will appreciate any advice or tips.
I had an abscessed tooth not long ago after the antibotics and having it pulled things calmed down. I no that is not much help to you now but it will get better.
THANK YOU purplebutterfly, yes actually that does help just to know that I can always find someone here at LWL that is currently going through the same things that I am and they can relate and understand, or they have been through it already and can give feedback.......I plan to call my dentist first thing in the morning since my round of antibiotics is complete as of today. First time in my life I have ever looked forward to having a tooth pulled !!! LOL
thanks again and BLESS you :)
My own teeth were a mess, despite good hygiene and dental care, long before the word lupus was ever brought to a discussion by a doctor. I new some years ago, whose doctor would only allow her to have dental work done when NOT flaring, because it would make her worse. Unfortunately, the lupus was attacking her teeth so badly, she had only small nubs remaining. She was always flaring, but didn't avoid sun exposure, and liked to party a great deal, didn't help.
Hope your infection clears quickly, and this can be taken care of. Be good to yourself, do what you know helps prevent worsening symptoms. abscesses are no fun, and need immediate attention or can move to other teeth on either side of them, even into your jaw bone. Trust me, OUCH!
THANK YOU Ann A. for your prayers......... BLESS YOU :)
Ann A. said:
Oh yeah Baby - in my best Austin Powers impression. Prayin for you!
THANKS for your reply.....you know what a PAIN abscessed teeth are too ! Now I am wondering how much longer my dentist will delay the extraction because I am flaring right now ! And he did mention that he might have to refer me to an oral surgeon....OUCH is right!!!.....guess I will find out tomorrow .........BLESSINGS to you :)
ohsoperplexed said:
My own teeth were a mess, despite good hygiene and dental care, long before the word lupus was ever brought to a discussion by a doctor. I new some years ago, whose doctor would only allow her to have dental work done when NOT flaring, because it would make her worse. Unfortunately, the lupus was attacking her teeth so badly, she had only small nubs remaining. She was always flaring, but didn't avoid sun exposure, and liked to party a great deal, didn't help.
Hope your infection clears quickly, and this can be taken care of. Be good to yourself, do what you know helps prevent worsening symptoms. abscesses are no fun, and need immediate attention or can move to other teeth on either side of them, even into your jaw bone. Trust me, OUCH!
Since I was first diagnosed with fibro 14 yrs ago, my teeth (which had always been excellent) started falling apart - before I had dental insurance thru a job my hubby got I ended up getting 4 teeth pulled - including 3 upper molars on the same side!- pulled because they abcessed, would’ve needed a root canal to save them, and I couldn’t afford it. Since then, it’s only gotten worse - my dentist & I have been “putting out fires” as he calls it, trying to save my teeth, and I’ve probably had at least a dozen abscesses total, if not more, plus teeth breaking. The rate of abcesses skyrocketed around the time my ANA became positive and my other symptoms consistent enough to get a lupus diagnosis. My dentist seems to think its a combination of the autoimmune issues whacking out the bacterial balance in your mouth, and the meds causing severe chronic dry mouth, which is deadly to teeth. I have 4 active abcesses right now which I’ve had for months, and I’m on my way to the oral surgeon this afternoon, to get all 4 pulled & bone graft work done on the sites so he can put implants in there eventually. I’ve given up - I’m getting all the top teeth OUT in the next 6 months or so, and a semi-permanent (only the dentist can take it out, or should need to) full top bridge. It’s not something I thought I’d ever be facing at 56 yrs old, but it’s better than constantly having abcesses, and the drain that puts on my overall health (and danger, really.) The bottom teeth aren’t quite so bad for some reason, but they may all go too, once I finish paying for all this, and if I’m as happy with it as I hope to be.
Wish me luck today, and I definitely wish you luck, that your problems never reach the degree mine have. If your mouth is always dry, check out some of the special products for that - your dentist probably has samples. And you might want to look into Sjogrens Syndrome, if your mouth and eyes both are dry all the time. Many lupies have it as well, and sometimes the diagnoses can overlap.
BLESS YOUR HEART !!! I will definitely be praying for you today! My goodness, you have really been through it with your teeth....I had heard that lupus is hard on the teeth.......I am starting to find that out now I guess. This is the first tooth problem that I have had since my lupus diagnosis about 5 years ago...........I am 60 now and I do not have any insurance either, so I can relate to that.
THANK YOU so very much for your reply and information.....knowledge is power as they say.....BLESSINGS to you today!
helliongoddess said:
Since I was first diagnosed with fibro 14 yrs ago, my teeth (which had always been excellent) started falling apart - before I had dental insurance thru a job my hubby got I ended up getting 4 teeth pulled - including 3 upper molars on the same side!- pulled because they abcessed, would've needed a root canal to save them, and I couldn't afford it. Since then, it's only gotten worse - my dentist & I have been "putting out fires" as he calls it, trying to save my teeth, and I've probably had at least a dozen abscesses total, if not more, plus teeth breaking. The rate of abcesses skyrocketed around the time my ANA became positive and my other symptoms consistent enough to get a lupus diagnosis. My dentist seems to think its a combination of the autoimmune issues whacking out the bacterial balance in your mouth, and the meds causing severe chronic dry mouth, which is deadly to teeth. I have 4 active abcesses right now which I've had for months, and I'm on my way to the oral surgeon this afternoon, to get all 4 pulled & bone graft work done on the sites so he can put implants in there eventually. I've given up - I'm getting all the top teeth OUT in the next 6 months or so, and a semi-permanent (only the dentist can take it out, or should need to) full top bridge. It's not something I thought I'd ever be facing at 56 yrs old, but it's better than constantly having abcesses, and the drain that puts on my overall health (and danger, really.) The bottom teeth aren't quite so bad for some reason, but they may all go too, once I finish paying for all this, and if I'm as happy with it as I hope to be.
Wish me luck today, and I definitely wish you luck, that your problems never reach the degree mine have. If your mouth is always dry, check out some of the special products for that - your dentist probably has samples. And you might want to look into Sjogrens Syndrome, if your mouth and eyes both are dry all the time. Many lupies have it as well, and sometimes the diagnoses can overlap.
I have a nerve exposed in my eye tooth right now. God the pain gets so awful. After just having two pulled in april, I really don’t look forward to it again. I cry all the time over my teeth. One thing I loved so much about myself was my smile. Now, due to lupus and prednisone, they are just full of cavities and breaking. I do take care of my teeth but because dental is so expensive to have done, I am losing the battle. Get better.
YES! this is reminder to any of you suffering from dry mouth....take it seriously and do not let your rheum not take it seriously. I also took great care of my teeth...dentist every 6 months, reg cleanings etc.
If you cannot eat a soda cracker you have dry mouth...that is easiest way to tell. A doctor once gave this as cue to tell and think it is best way....plus if your dentist tells you. Your dentist should be able to tell if they are decent. Or at least ask if you are on any meds that could dry your mouth.
so please take it seriously...and dry mouth will cause tooth infections so ask your dentist if this is behind why tooth became abscessed.
You also should not necessarily need to pull it. try and save it if you can. i now say this as not having your teeth is just not a positive experience.
You are so lucky to be able to afford implants! i wish i sure could after my negative experience. Now i think maybe i should have sued the doctor!
SMOKY MTN SNOWFLAKE said:
BLESS YOUR HEART !!! I will definitely be praying for you today! My goodness, you have really been through it with your teeth....I had heard that lupus is hard on the teeth.......I am starting to find that out now I guess. This is the first tooth problem that I have had since my lupus diagnosis about 5 years ago...........I am 60 now and I do not have any insurance either, so I can relate to that.
THANK YOU so very much for your reply and information.....knowledge is power as they say.....BLESSINGS to you today!
helliongoddess said:Since I was first diagnosed with fibro 14 yrs ago, my teeth (which had always been excellent) started falling apart - before I had dental insurance thru a job my hubby got I ended up getting 4 teeth pulled - including 3 upper molars on the same side!- pulled because they abcessed, would've needed a root canal to save them, and I couldn't afford it. Since then, it's only gotten worse - my dentist & I have been "putting out fires" as he calls it, trying to save my teeth, and I've probably had at least a dozen abscesses total, if not more, plus teeth breaking. The rate of abcesses skyrocketed around the time my ANA became positive and my other symptoms consistent enough to get a lupus diagnosis. My dentist seems to think its a combination of the autoimmune issues whacking out the bacterial balance in your mouth, and the meds causing severe chronic dry mouth, which is deadly to teeth. I have 4 active abcesses right now which I've had for months, and I'm on my way to the oral surgeon this afternoon, to get all 4 pulled & bone graft work done on the sites so he can put implants in there eventually. I've given up - I'm getting all the top teeth OUT in the next 6 months or so, and a semi-permanent (only the dentist can take it out, or should need to) full top bridge. It's not something I thought I'd ever be facing at 56 yrs old, but it's better than constantly having abcesses, and the drain that puts on my overall health (and danger, really.) The bottom teeth aren't quite so bad for some reason, but they may all go too, once I finish paying for all this, and if I'm as happy with it as I hope to be.
Wish me luck today, and I definitely wish you luck, that your problems never reach the degree mine have. If your mouth is always dry, check out some of the special products for that - your dentist probably has samples. And you might want to look into Sjogrens Syndrome, if your mouth and eyes both are dry all the time. Many lupies have it as well, and sometimes the diagnoses can overlap.
Oh my, Destiny, I can only imagine the awful pain.....nerve pain is horrible !!! You do have a beautiful smile and you are a beautiful young woman.....your picture is proof of that. I hate to hear that you are in so much pain.....so bad that you cry. I will be praying for you and your situation. Thank you so very much for your reply.....you take care and get better too. BLESSINGS
Yeah. It will get better after it is pulled.
Smoky,
My sincere prayers that you are relieved of your pain soon and healing on your mouth can begin. My one suggestion is that you do have my a reputable oral surveon perform the extraction you might need. The mouth is such a sensitive area yet it can make or break so many serious health issues. The most severe being acute and/or chronic injuries to the heart.Abscesses are pockets of infection, i am not sure what meds you are on but your immune system is probably quite compromised
alreadyy.
Healing hugs ~Maré
THANK YOU so very much for your prayers.....I just talked to my dentist and he said that we are blessed to have 3 very good oral surgeons here and he has referred to me his preference......my appointment is next Tues. so I have another week to take antibiotics and deal with the pain.....thank you again for your thoughts and prayers :) Blessings to you
Flutterbymare said:
Smoky,
My sincere prayers that you are relieved of your pain soon and healing on your mouth can begin. My one suggestion is that you do have my a reputable oral surveon perform the extraction you might need. The mouth is such a sensitive area yet it can make or break so many serious health issues. The most severe being acute and/or chronic injuries to the heart.Abscesses are pockets of infection, i am not sure what meds you are on but your immune system is probably quite compromised
alreadyy.
Healing hugs ~Maré
I am glad he has referred you to the oral surgeon. I hope the pain is better. Let us know how it goes next Tuesday.
THANK YOU ..... the pain is tolerable most of the time now or I am getting used to it, mostly I just feel really bad ... I will let you all know how next Tuesday goes...... THANKS to all of you for your thoughts and prayers....BLESSINGS to you all :)
purplebutterfly said:
I am glad he has referred you to the oral surgeon. I hope the pain is better. Let us know how it goes next Tuesday.
Hey guys.....I said I would update.....I am sitting here with a mouth full of gauze......the abscessed tooth is no longer in my mouth. YAY!!!!!!! So far I am doing fine...the numbing has worn off and no pain !!! The 10 days of antibiotics cleared up all the infection.....now just 3 or 4 days of soft foods and salt water rinses and letting it heal.! Praise the LORD !!!
By the way ....I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Charles Shanks oral surgeon if any of you all in East TN ever need an excellent dentist !!!!!!! I did not even know when he actually pulled the tooth !!!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers....love and BLESSINGS :)
I am so glad the tooth is gone and I hope you never have to go thru this again. Anna A love the song.
THANK YOU :)
John "JC" Colyer said:
I'm glad, Stay Strong!
SMOKY MTN SNOWFLAKE said:Hey guys.....I said I would update.....I am sitting here with a mouth full of gauze......the abscessed tooth is no longer in my mouth. YAY!!!!!!! So far I am doing fine...the numbing has worn off and no pain !!! The 10 days of antibiotics cleared up all the infection.....now just 3 or 4 days of soft foods and salt water rinses and letting it heal.! Praise the LORD !!!
By the way ....I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Charles Shanks oral surgeon if any of you all in East TN ever need an excellent dentist !!!!!!! I did not even know when he actually pulled the tooth !!!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers....love and BLESSINGS :)