What do you do about bad breath when you can't brush your teeth? Any suggestions? Using mouthwash also triggers attacks.
I always brush my teeth, it hurts but I worry if I don’t do it my teeth could end up hurting alot more! I’m ok with cold in my mouth though it’s hot that sets me off
I was wondering about this but too embarrassed to ask. Brushing on the left side really sets things off. I know the quality of my oral hygiene is not up to my usual standards but I usually just brush super quick and get things finished with. Mouth wash is a definite no.
Sometimes it is just better to rub toothpaste on my teeth rather than brush. Flossing, for me, takes the courage of 50 men.
What has worked for me are the breath sprays -- strong on the tongue and lasts long --- if unable to brush teeth -- go every month to get a cleaning, with a narcotic and a driver! Always have to be creative here!
I think they also have breath strips too
There is an oral hygenist in my local support group who has not been able to brush her teeth for SEVEN years -- now that my friends is sucky Irony!
Hi All,
Asmara, I think about your topic question every time I brush my teeth...I have Type 1 TN with very painful shocks and twinges. A soft warm breeze on my left cheek can send me to my knees gasping for breath from the face Taser jolts.
All that said, even when having the pain-shocks, I seem to be able to brush my teeth with my usually aggressive (over time) vigor. I brush lowers, uppers, roof of my mouth and tongue fully expecting excruciating pain blasts that never quite get started (It's TN. That can all change tomorrow morning). As with everything related to TN; it's all totally baffling. I think that I can speak for many here when I say "TN has ruined my life. Blessings, Rick
I have switched back to a manual toothbrush from an electric one. I know TN patients have been known to have shocking oral hygiene and dental caries because of the fear of the pain. I would agree with rubbing toothpaste on with a finger is better than nothing, at least your teeth will be absorbing some fluoride.
Perhaps supplementing with fluoride tablets might help too if your tap water isn't fluoridated.
I brush them on the left side, rub toothpaste on the right and swallow a couple of painkillers before hand. I have to take painkillers to brush my hair, wash my hair, can't take a shower (oh no! thats a definite no-no), or wash my face (I only attempt this once a week). I don't attempt to floss, I shudder to even contemplate it lol.
Sharyn, I have to take it very easy in the shower too-A definite pain-trigger. And, I don't floss anymore either-No way I'm sticking all those fingers in my mouth! I won't even mention a visit to my hygienist for a cleaning, other than to say that it won't be happening.
Hope your having a pain-free day. Rick
Sharyn said:
I brush them on the left side, rub toothpaste on the right and swallow a couple of painkillers before hand. I have to take painkillers to brush my hair, wash my hair, can't take a shower (oh no! thats a definite no-no), or wash my face (I only attempt this once a week). I don't attempt to floss, I shudder to even contemplate it lol.
Brushing is THE SUCK with this disease for sure. I struggle through brushing every other day or so and luckily can get about 80% of my teeth alright but that last 20% makes me cringe big time. Sometimes I'll just grit my teeth and go to town because it's gotta be done. Go hard and fast and have some satisfaction that at least the teeth are clean for a bit. Clearly many of you have worse pain and that's not an option - I think I'm pretty lucky I can manage that. Mouthwash is my standby the rest of the time.
Some weekends I'll head out with boys and throw back a few cocktails. That definitely kills my pain and when I get home I brush like hell hehe.
Strange, I tried just putting my finger on my upper teeth, right side is my bad side, used a soft Puffs tissue thinking, well at least I can clean them a little. Wrong, it went boom right away.
Normally I brush, but i have to do it in slow motion, I just barely move the toothbrush sometimes I get lucky and it doesn't hit but the times it does hit sends me to the moon. I can feel the plaque building up on the inside of three or four of my teeth.
Cleaning? My Neurologist said not to let a Dentist touch me.
Speaking of Dentists, I was very fortunate when I was first diagnosed, I thought for sure it was a tooth problem
Luckily, I had a Dentist that was aware of TN. He said he wished it were my teeth, now I know why he said that.
Flossing? I have no problem with.
Coqi said:
I was wondering about this but too embarrassed to ask. Brushing on the left side really sets things off. I know the quality of my oral hygiene is not up to my usual standards but I usually just brush super quick and get things finished with. Mouth wash is a definite no.
Sometimes it is just better to rub toothpaste on my teeth rather than brush. Flossing, for me, takes the courage of 50 men.
All,
Please disregard my previous post about being able to brush in the midst of a TN pain-cycle. Starting after my most recent attack starting Dec 2011, my the pain trigger-center moved from my lower gum-line under my left ear, to the middle of my left cheek. The jolts have been very intense emanating from this new Taser epicenter--No eating, drinking (swallowing my meds, etc.) or even coming close to brushing my teeth in the last 5 days. For me, as each new pain-cycle pays it's 2-6 month "visit" the pain and frequency increases. I always knew that the time would come when I'd be unable to brush my teeth, as it has this week. I was just "living" on borrowed time.
Blessings, Rick
is there an oral hygiene discussion going on on LivingWithTN? my wife's tooth just broke off like it was a pretzel! she does brush lightly. we bought a water pic but it's painful and mouthwash triggers attacks. Anyone have any oral rinse ideas? How about flouride tablets? Vitamins? Help!
Thomas,
I’ve heard there’s a special mouth rinse for patients with brushing challenges. I don’t know what it’s called but is by prescription only. Check with your wife’s doctor or call a pharmacist or dentist for information. I can empathize with your wife - I’ve had four teeth break so far and the thought of oral surgery makes me cringe! Good luck!
Thanks for the reply Gloria E.
I know of Peridex(chlorohexidine) for periodontal disease. Strong stuff, painful.
Then there's something called "magic mouth wash" which is a chalky rinse which actually numbs the mouth.
But, we will definitely check in with the doctor and pharmacist. There must be something that kills germs but does not cause pain. Maybe she can dilute alcohol free mouthwash? I was thinking about flouride tablets.
Anyway, I really appreciate your reply. Communication is good.
By the way, regarding oral surgery, do you cringe about the pain aftermath, the cost, the chair, other or all of the above???????????? Rosario hasn't had an implant yet, but it's an option. She did have a root canal and crown and that was a painful event, but seems to have calmed down to baseline now.
Rosario and I send our best.
Small soft child size tooth brush and a little warm water. Lozenges for the breath,but not mint! It is the mint in the mouthwash that will irritate. Good old fashioned original Listerene is good to use. On especially painful days it is a warm water rinse and a sugar free Licorice lozenge. Hope that helps some. : )