[witchyonadiet]

Do any of you ladies with Fibromyalgia have tooth pain that your dentist says is NOT a dental problem ? I do have TMJ and seem to have had it since I was young as my older sister and I remember my jaw clicking going back for yearssssss. My dentist says that with a jaw issues - tooth pain can follow. I'm seeing my Rheumatoid doc in a couple of weeks and will definately ask him but it's really freaking me out. I have HUGE anxiety issues and a massive fear of the dentist so I am in a constant state of panic over this. I do have some receding gum issues from brushing too hard and teeth grinding (I now wear a mouth guard at night) but that causes sensitivity. I was only recently diagnosed with Fibro and CFS since having a lot of pain and being tired all the time since Fall of 2009. Took forever to rule everything else out and finally get an official diagnosis this year.

[kaplods]

This is one of the most frustrating things about fibro - the pain can come from anywhere, and it's so hard to know whether it's "just the fibro" or if something else is going wrong.

You will get better at recognizing the difference, but there's never a 100% certainty.

If you're not brushing with a toothpaste for sensitive teeth (like Sensodyne - though the cheap brands work just as well), I'd recommed it.

Another tool I'd recommend is a water pick. I've had a lot fewer dental pain and problems since I started using one. I love it.
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Just yesterday I had really bad jaw and tooth pain radiating from around some molar bridgework. It hurt so bad, I was afraid that something serious was going on, but I hoped it was just some food caught under the bridgework.

Flossing didn't help, but the waterpick did the trick. I must have had a small food particle caught under the bridge. Before the fibro, it probably would have been a mild irritation, but fibro can transform any sensation into pain and can magnify mild irritation into severe pain.

One thing to remember is that you can't assume all pain is fibro, so you've got to be aware of the clues that tell you it is or isn't fibro. For example, if your fatigue and pain from the fibro aren't constant, if you have good and bad days, then any pain that doesn't change could be a sign that it's not fibro pain. If your fibro pain is more constant, then pain that changes (up and down, or progressively worse) probably isn't fibro. Any pain that is "different" should be checked out.

I had foot pain for two years that I thought was fibro, but turned out to be an untreated, unhealed fracture.

It will take a while to understand your fibro and CFS, but you will get a handle on it. You'll find what helps and what doesn't.

To get to know your fibro/cfs, a symptom journal (and your food journal) comes in handy. You'll start to see patterns. My first symptom journal (which included a small space for food/calorie counting too) was the HealthMinder I bought on amazon.com (you can use the look inside function on amazon to see what the log pages look like).

I found that my worst fibro triggers were sleep problems, weather change (not just bad weather), carbs (wheat, processed and high glycemic carbs especially), TOM, stress and overexertion (in roughly that order).

Everyone's triggers are different though, which is why the symptom log comes in handy. It also helps you see and understand your pain and fatigue pattern, so you can more easily identify when something unusual (and maybe not the fibro) is going on.

[witchyonadiet]

Thank you ! I am using Sensodyne but it says not to use it for more than 4 weeks so I'll have to see how my mouth feels when I stop. It is so hard to determine what I should be concerned about and what I shouldn't - especially with my horrible anxiety. When I get an ache or pain I get fixated on it and then it gets worse. The diary is a GREAT idea. I've already noticed the changing of the seasons and when I'm overtired which is ALL the time.

I really appreciate your ideas. Thank you !

[kaplods]

Read your labels and ask your dentist, because my dentist told me that I could use Sensodyne and similar toothpastes indefinitely. Most of the labels don't actually tell you that you have to stop after 4 weeks, rather the labels state that if the problem persists for more than 4 weeks see your dentist. This "covers" the toothpaste manufacturer from blame if you're ignoring an infection or something serious. If the dentist does rule out a dental problem (as I understand it - ask your dentist to be sure) you are "good to go" to use sensitive teeth toothpastes.


Right now, I'm using a sample I got from my dentist called Sensodyne Pronamel. The label reads:

If pain/sensitivity still persists after 4 weeks of use, please visit your dentist. Stop use and ask a dentist if the problem persists or worsens. Sensitive teeth may indicate a serious problem that may need prompt care by a dentist.

Note that it doesn't say you can't use the product for more than 4 weeks - it just says that if you still have a problem after 4 weeks, see your dentist or that if the product doesn't help or if it gets worse to stop the toothpaste and (again) see a dentist.

I did see my dentist and he ruled out other reasons for the pain and said I could use Sensodyne as my only toothpaste. He also said that Sensodyne helps improve teeth sensitivity, but it won't help if something serious is going on. That is you don't have to worry that you've got something serious going on, but the Sensodyne is masking the pain that would tell you that. The Sensodyne isn't strong enough to help severe issues.

I can't guarantee that your dentist will tell you what mine did, so I'd still suggest you run it past your own dentist.