watervole: (We're lost aren't we?)
Judith Proctor ([personal profile] watervole) wrote2006-08-28 10:36 am
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Toothache

I've got this low-grade toothache which is driving me crazy. The dentist said it's due to very sensitive gums (often triggered by flossing - but skipping flossing is not an option) and I'm using one of these toothpastes for sensitive teeth. It helps, but it doesn't eliminate the problem.

A lot of the time, it just gives me a mild feeling of nausea and only occasionally breaks out into real pain. However, it's starting to seriously interfere with my life. Travel in cars looks less and less attractive (I think the nausea on the way to Discworld may actually have been tooth-related).

Gardening helps as a form of distraction and being outdoors is generally good, but cooking food sometimes makes me feel even more queasy.

If anyone has any bright ideas, then I'm all ears.
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[identity profile] frandowdsofa.livejournal.com 2006-08-28 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
As well as the toothpaste, my dentist recommended - lighter brushing with a softer brush, avoiding acid drinks like juice, and tea, and said that if it wasn't better in a month or so of that, there was gunk they could paint on it to seal up the bit where the root was exposed. Luckily it got better, but it might be worth asking about the gunk.
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2006-08-28 10:35 am (UTC)(link)
I rarely drink juice or tea, but thank you for the comment about the gunk. I will ask the dentist about that.

[identity profile] asphodeline.livejournal.com 2006-08-28 11:41 am (UTC)(link)
Do you use an electric toothbrush? I find my gums have problems on the odd occasion I have to revert to a 'normal' brush.
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[identity profile] watervole.livejournal.com 2006-08-28 11:55 am (UTC)(link)
Do you use an electric toothbrush?

Yes.
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[personal profile] julesjones 2006-08-29 06:20 am (UTC)(link)
If you're using Sensodyne or similar, you might want to try using the type of sensitive teeth treatment I'm now using. It's a 0.4% fluoride gel, and my US dentist got me to start using it because I can't stand the taste of the Sensodyne-style pastes (to the point of retching if I try to use them). It uses a different mechanism, and I've found it very effective in dealing with my sensitive teeth. The one I'm using is Gel-Kam from Colgate - I don't know if it's available in the UK, but ask your dentist.
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