Dentist

nanasue

Morning all,
Hope this unseasonable weather is helping everyone. I have a query about the dentist. I'm very lucky that in the 6 years since I was diagnosed I've not needed much treatment, mostly just check ups, but on Friday I needed a filling, part of it had come out and I hadn't noticed, she said it was only a little one so I didn't worry (I'd been 2 weeks previous to get a mould for a mouthguard). When I got there she said, " I'll just numb your mouth", which I thought was odd as if the fillings are small they don't usually bother, anyway it turned out to be a bigger job and I was in the chair (layed back horizontal) with my mouth wide open for about 25 minutes, afterwards had a lot of pain in my jaw on right side, this is where I have arthur and also the side she worked on, then next morning my right shoulder and neck were very stiff and painful, obviously from being in this position for so long. The dentist is aware of my RA but probably doesn't realise staying like this for this length of time would cause me problems, I didn't think about it either!!!!! another thing in life that has to be accomadated due to this ****** illness. So, after me waffling on for ages, I was wondering if any of you wise people have any ideas for how to deal with being in the dentist chair for more than the time it takes for a check up. Thanks,

Sue x

dreamdaisy

Oh this is a tricky one, nanasue, I am not entirely sure what one can do. Pre-loading with dullers could help but as you so rightly say it's the being in one position for so long which can cause the trouble. I take it your dentist is aware that you have arthritis - and what that actually means for you, that it isn't just a case of a couple of joints protesting every now and again? Hmmmm, as I thought, it's a tricky one! DD

stickywicket

My dentist is lovely. She's aware of my arthritis and always checks my meds haven't changed. She warns me before she does anything - even move the chair position - tells me exactly what she's doing when & asks if I'm still OK. I can't keep my mouth open for long (Mr SW would deny that!) so, whenever possible (depending on which tooth might need attention) she puts a thing in my mouth that I can relax my jaw onto which prevents all the 'jawache' both during and after. If I'm at all uncomfortable while she's treating me I've just to raise an arm and she will stop for a moment. I find the more we communicate, the better it gets.

lalla

Hi Sue yes the dentists can be a problem, could tryone of those bead filled cushions to support your neck, I do also for hairdressers. If you tell your dentist the problems you had he could perhaps give a longer appt so you had longer periods to close and rest the jaw, allso gentle massage of the muscles around may help Take care Linda

julie47

Hi Sue

My dentist is also very kind, she always checks my meds before starting treatment and realizes that opening the mouth wide and sitting in the chair can be uncomfortable. She always stops for a few seconds to ask if I am ok.

Hope your dentist is more aware next time
Juliepf x

nanasue

Thanks for your replies. Yes she does know I have RA but obviously not aware of problems I might have being in chair as it's not come up before. In future if it will be a long appointment I'll take a cushion/pillow and ask her to tilt the chair up higher and ask about breaks from having mouth open too long or thing to put in my mouth to rest on. All good suggestions, I'll take them on board and hopefully not have a problem again.

Sue x

theresa4

HI Sue
Nothing new to add, I too cant keep my mouth open for long at all (and is me SW related to my OH as he differs on that too )

M dentist is great and puts extra cotton in to rest my jaw on and also stops when I raise my arm to allow me to relax my jaw for a moment or two.
Hopefully it will be a while before you have to face it again.

Theresa