Actonel, et al not the only dental risk.....radiation is too!!

[~Bellydancer~]

Teeth are funny. From what you say, there could have been a crack in the tooth for a long time. Sometime teeth will "die" quietly, no sensitivity to temp, bite or sweet. If this tooth was cracked and the nerve died, our body will try to take care of the debris....dead nervous tissue, thus the cyst. The body encapsulates the debris and tries to protect it from contaminating the rest of the body. Cracks don't always show up on an x-ray,teeth are 3D and the xray is only 2D. I can see a pocket "appearing" all of a sudden with what you are explaining. This unfortunately is an unperdictable event. I am not familliar with your Meds...I haven't been Rx them and don't know about the s/e. Does it deplete the Calcium? Can you take Ca? Can you have a topical Fluoride? Fluoride helps to remineralize the weakened enamel, it won't however heal a crack. Oral b make a daily or a weekly rinse. I have limited US product knowledge as I can't get the stuff 'cuz I live in Canada. So there many be others available. You can also get a brush on type of fluoride such as Gelkam or Biotene makes a higher concentration type of Fluoride toothpaste. This is good for areas of erosion due to radiation, high levels of stomach acid due to vomitting, dry mouth and acidic foods. I would have a frank discussion with your Hygienist and or Dentist. It depends upon who is more intune with the now. Have them make suggestions to help prevent further tooth loss.

[Cathya]

Michelle;

I am going to the drug store right now to look for the products ... toothpaste, Fluoride. I lived in Winnipeg for twenty some years...attended the U of Manitoba and just stayed. I now live in a small town one hour south of Ottawa along the St. Lawrence. I hear you're getting pretty grim weather out there ....lol. I do remember it well but I loved Winnipeg and had some wonderful friends there.

Cathy

[~Bellydancer~]

I didn't even look to see where you are from. Sorry. I have found that my tea tree oil tooth paste is really helping me with the mouth sores and my tissue is still in pretty good shape. You may have to go to a Healthfood store to get tea tree oil toothpaste. I get mine from the states. Cantact if you want info, there is a whole line of products. Lablaws I tink my have it at a Superstore type of place. Try to stay away from any of the "extreme, whitening, polishing" type toothpaste as they are all very harsh and not at all good for long term use. That is why I use baking soda. Non abrasive, excellent for removing tea stains,and helps soothe the tissue . Let me know if you need any more from the "toothfaerie".


I noticed you had Taxol....how did it go for you? What did they give you as a pre med? I had such an awful time with Taxotere that I has said stop until I can regroup and refocus.

[Cathya]

Michelle;

I found taxol tiring and painful however, doable. The first day or two was just fine on the taxol and then day 3, 4 and maybe 5 was like the worst arthritis you can stand. I got a prescription for tylenol 3 and took 2 every four hours during that period and found it worked very well. I will say it seems to have worked and that's all that mattered to me. I had a good friend who took taxotere and she had problems with her bowels....very painful. Also, she lost a couple of toe nails, however, given that she had an aggressive case of inflammatory bc and has had no recurrances for three years as well I would say it worked for her too. I remember telling myself that no matter what I would not hate my chemo treatments because if I needed to do it again I would. I don't know why some get taxotere and some taxol? The tylenol was a godsend to me though.

Cathy

[Cathya]

Michelle;

Oops. I forgot your question about the pre-meds. I can't remember what they gave me but I do recall they made me very tired and I slept through most of the injection. I don't recall finding that the injection/treatment itself was too bad. All the action for me happened after a couple of days.

Cathy