I have had Lyme since 2007. And thankfully, I have not had quite as difficult a road with everything as many other people on here. I was on antibiotics for about 2 years when I first was diagnosed (doxycycline, tetracycline, biaxin, ceftin, mepron, etc).
Eventually, I was sick of the side effects and took a more natural, homeopathic approach. I could go 1.5 years without side effects.
Recently, I have been so healthy that I have gotten into running half marathons and even a full marathon, and Spartan races, and things I never thought I would be able to do back when I was at my worst.
However, I think I'm relapsing. And at first, I couldn't figure out the reason. Nothing had changed. Then I realized. I just went to the dentist to have a cavity filled. Looking at my paperwork, the last 3 relapses I've had were after dentist appointments.
I have lots of Lyme-related jaw pain, so it makes sense that it becomes worse when I go to the dentist. But then it leads to so many other areas of joint pain.
Does anyone else notice an increase of symptoms after dentist visits?
Does anyone have an preventative measures that they take before going to the dentist that helps them so that they don't relapse?
It makes me feel like I just never want to go to the dentist again. But I also don't want to have cavities that I'm not taking care of. I can't resign myself to the fact that I'll always be sick after the dentist though.
Any advice? Thanks!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
A close friend got bells after dentist
Im not sure what happened but i believe it is related
I hope others come along to talk about this
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I imagine it could lower your immune system a bit.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
I never experienced this.
Have you had relapses after having your teeth cleaned also?
You could decide to take antibiotics for a few days before having any dental work done at all. If that works, then that is your solution.
I found one website where patients discussed this. It is here:
Perhaps if you told your dentist what has been happening, he would prescribe the antibiotics for you prior to each visit.
Some people with certain heart valve replacements or joint replacements have to take antibiotics prior to visiting the dentist. Seems like maybe some lyme patients do also.
Posted by pepper8 (Member # 13660) on :
Thanks for the feedback - I haven't noticed it after cleanings, only after having cavities filled. And I take good care of my teeth, so I've also noticed an increase in cavities since getting Lyme. My naturopath actually said that can happen.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Are you getting mercury fillings?
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Pepper, the roots and teeth (specially dead ones) harbor many pathogens.
my lyme doc is very cautious when we are treating teeth. Dentist work stirs a lot of pathogens.
I wonder if this is not your case, or just a coincidence.
I have loads of problems with my teeth, even without lyme. I do think pathogens remain dormant or hidden there.
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
I think there are many here whose symptoms have worsened after having dental work done. I know that is the case for me.
I try to take chlorella as a binder before and after dental work. It is hard to know if it helps, but Dr. K recommends it. I have (gradually) had all of my mercury fillings replaced and now just have one root canaled tooth that I would like to have extracted by an oral surgeon, but I have to be ready for this. I know it will set me back.
I am afraid that I might have jawbone cavitations because of the dental and bone pain I have experienced in my jaws throughout the years. The thing is, the pain is intermittent. If it was constant, it would be more clear cut.
I dread the thought of having surgery done to correct this - as I do believe there is a lot of money to be made with this and I know that many have to go back for multiple surgeries. It makes me wonder what the best course to take is.
I recently had a 7-year old dental titanium implant removed, due to my suspicion that there were bacteria or some other pathogens hiding out near the implant. The jury is still out as to whether it will make a difference. I suffered worsening tinnitus and paresthesias in my head (and other body parts) following the surgery. I am still hopeful that in time, things will calm down.
Hoping that others will chime in and perhaps we will gain some insight on the dental link to Lyme.
Posted by Brussels (Member # 13480) on :
Dbpei. If you have no more metal in the mouth, I'm trying Tesla glass 'wands' (an inexpensive device that costs about 50 dollars).
I also have weak teeth, loads of cavitations there. I already pulled 5 dead teeth, now I still have 2 dead teeth. They keep dying, even though my lyme is dormant. I still have candida and other infections (as I am herxing on joints in the last 2 weeks)!
I'm trying these Tesla lights, and I swear, when I pull my teeth, they feel much stronger now, no pain, no sensitivity. It's such an inexpensive device, that is sold for cosmetic use, but what it is doing to my joints and to my body in general is amazing.
I would like others to try on their teeth (you don't need to apply light inside the moutn, I do from outside), so that we could compare experiences!
Posted by dbpei (Member # 33574) on :
Brussels, is this anything like Rife or Ondamed? I am glad it is helping you.
Posted by sickofthepain (Member # 39579) on :
Yes, some of my lyme symptoms can be traced back to a dentist who insisted on refilling a tooth that was not bothering me but he said it had a hairline crack(a number of my teeth do) and would break. He drilled it to the nerve and filled it.
I went through the roof when I first tried to eat. I complained and he said he would file it. It did not help, he said wait a few weeks and then he said wait a few months.He did not want to deal with it. He said you might need a root canal.
Finally after a year, it abscessed and then I needed a root canal. I started getting eye floaters and ringing in my ears and migraines. Thank you dentist who wanted some extra cash.
I have been dealing with this since 05/06 and have many many more symptoms. I don't go to the dentist anymore either. I had my teeth cleaned once since the root canal. I just try to keep them clean. My teeth are not sensitive to hot and cold as long as I don't get them cleaned.
I would like to have my mercury taken out by a biological dentist but have to win the lotto first.Contemplate quite often of just having that expensive root canal tooth removed.I would blame my vision loss on that except my bad eye is on
the other side.It's funny how you can trace lyme to that. I guess that is where MSIDS really becomes a good term. I have the spirochete, test is positive but this infection soup made it dance.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
When I first got Lyme, it was right after a root canal. My (Lyme-friendly) dentist told me that it made sense. My immune system was preoccupied with the infection in my mouth. He said our immune systems prioritize mouth infections because our bodies need our teeth to eat and hence survive.
So I imagine that same thing could occur with a relapse and a cavity.