Q: I have RA and fibromyalgia. Every time I get my teeth cleaned, I have a flare of both conditions a few days later. Do you know why this might happen?
A: We know any type of stress – whether physical stress, such as an infection, or emotional stress, such as fear – can make fibromyalgia and perhaps RA worse, too. In the scenario you describe, I can think of at least three potential stressors that may contribute to your flares: the release of bacteria from the mouth into the bloodstream during cleaning, which stimulates the immune system just enough to increase the level of cytokines in the bloodstream and tissue; the discomfort associated with the procedure, and the anxiety caused by anticipating another flare. Once you know this has happened in the past, it would not be unreasonable to assume it might happen again.
Theoretically each of these three stressors could be dealt with to help reduce your risk of future dental-cleaning-related flares. Antibiotics could be used before and during the procedure to control the bacteria, and deep-breathing or relaxation techniques could be used to help reduce your anxiety, and therefore flares. Analgesics could be used after the procedure, if necessary, to relieve pain. Speak to your doctor or dentist about pre-cleaning medications and about specific techniques that might be helpful.
Daniel Clauw, MD, Rheumatologist
However, I have the worst fibromyalgia I have had in years. I take savilla and it has been very effective treating my fibro.
I was glad to here that I am not alone re: dental procedures and fibro.
Next time I will have to rethink the use of gas and other relaxant drugs. thanks so much for the info
phyllis
The FMS pain was like torture at times but I put up with it the best I could.
By chance I changed dentists and after xrays, he asked me what kind of health problems I was having. I told him I had FMS, and he said I can show you what's causing it. I had a root canal done 25 years ago and the dentist had removed half of the root and left the other half in there to rot.After it rotted away it filled with bacteria.The bacteria had a perfect place to live, but caused me no pain in my tooth because the nerve was dead. The root infection was dumping a spoonful of its waste into my body everyday and that's the poison that caused my FMS.Can you imagine eating a spoonful of crap everyday and not knowing it.
Anyway he said he could clean up the infection and I would be well in 90 days.
Today I have no pain and have a normal life back.I have been FMS free for 6 years now.
The problem with most dentists is that they're not trained to clean up infections as most of you know from the posts here that I've read.
The dentist that cured me of FMS is Dr. Mike Hinkel in Tulsa OK.
Terry Burnett
exposing the roots of some teeth, pain is
high and I can't find a dentist that has
knowledge of what or how to treat this problem
anyone that can tell me of a dentist in my
area I would appreciate it. I happen to live
in El Paso Texas, yes I have dental insurance
but I think this should be covered under
major medical. Hope to have response. Thank You
~~Sue
I have to take antibiotics for any invasive procedure anyway, so bacteria are not a problem.
Relaxation/imagery/meditation is also very helpful.
I cannot stress enough the importance of good oral health in possibly helping with FM symptoms. However, post operative pain is very common, not just following dental cleaning, but most procedures. Some literature suggests that the use of Nonsteroidal anti - inflammatory pain killers such as Ibuprofen (only if you are able to take it!) taken the day before, day of and day after treatment can help to reduce post operative discomfort. I've tried this with my patients with some success. there is no evidence that paracetamol is as effective in this scenario.
Leave a Comment