Dental Healh

[fishead]

Aside from being emphatic about dental care I seem to be having some "MONSTROUS" THRUSH. It leaves, only to resurface months later. I brush twice a day, floss once a day and even swish with listerine once a day or more (when I remember to do it before bed time)

I have taken care of my teeth, to the utmost level. Alas, because of my tysabri, I have had 3 bouts with flush over the past 6 months. THis worries me. I have been blessed with VERY good teeth and I am afraid of loosig them. As it IS I have lost a molar on each sde of my mouth. Makes for unenjoyable eating. I want to sink my teeth in a steak or eat at nice salad. Right now the only thing I can eat is potatos,cooked carrots, broccoli (hard to eat, but I eat it anyway)

I have lost 2 of the major ones for chewing meat. Trying to go through my finances to see what, if any, I can afford.


Any help in here?? Any schools/detal schools that take people that have little money? Sucks that my poor teeth have to come to a demise.

[CaroleL]

Fishhead,

Maybe you could call colleges in your area. Those that study dentistry, dental hygiene, may have "training on patient" days. Supervised of course. Some of our colleges do this and they charge way less than regular dental fees.

My daughter has been treated by college students and always had good results.

[rdmc]

If you have thrush you might consider these "natural" remedies. I've had to take a lot of antibiotics and so my GP has tuned me into some things to do to avoid thrush or treat it.

First cut out sugar, also carbohydrates, like bread, pastas, etc. Think of thrush as a yeast infection in your mouth, and limit things that would make a yeast infection worse, and things that help yeast infections, like yogurt, etc. Vitamin C and Vitamin B both help.

Also make sure you're taking a probiotic. You can get acidophillus at the pharmacy OTC, or you can try the stronger type of probiotics that are sold at the health food stores.

Beyond that there are other remedies like gentian violet (used to be an old fashioned treatment, but now some docs are using it again.) Here's a page from the Mayo Clinic that explains how to use it...you can get it otc at the drug store (beware, it's named violet for a reason) and you don't want to get it on your clothes.)

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dru...ation/DR600723

As far as mouth washes, biotene's probably the best for evening out mouth enzymes, etc.

In our city, the community college has a dental hygene program, and you can go there and pay very little for your cleanings. And if you have a regular dentist and explain to them your situation, I bet they would take payments. I worked in the dental field for many years (many moons ago) and still have friends who work for dentists. They're not all "cold hearted" cash up front kind of practitioners , and some will work with you on a payment plan.

Hope you can get it under control.

[Noorajoon]

pre-biotics are important to repopulate lost societies of good bacteria. once you get them back, go on pro-biotics for maintenance and watch sugar, carbos, etc. Make sure to eat yogurt with active cultures, etc. Good luck!!!

[celeste]

Thrush can be really stubborn. I'm guessing that you didn't get rid of it completely the first time.

My DH has had problems with this. Our PCP & dentist were clueless about what it was when DH showed them. Then I diagnosed him & made him go to a Ear, Nose, Throat specialist who gave him the proper prescriptions. It can take a long time to go away & maybe a refill on the meds. I don't know how your drugs may affect the treatment.

Hopefully your doctors will know what to give you. Thrush is a yeast infection. Yeast is always around but some people are just more susceptible to having it grow out of control especially if they take certain medications.

Good luck.

[HellsBells1]

Someone else alluded to this and recommended a good mouthwash, but you should be aware that over-brushing and using to much antibacterial rinses will make Thrush worse.

Thrush is basically the same thing as a yeast infection, and every woman knows not to use perfumed or anti-bacterial washes in "that" area because the healthy bacteria is being removed and allowing the yeast to take over. Our mouths and entire digestive system contain a delicate balance of healthy bacterias and yeasts. This is why antibiotics often cause yeast infections or thrush - because they are killing all the bacteria and a yeast-overgrowth results.

I would recommend that you get a one-dose oral pill called Diflucan which will initially eliminate the overgrowth of yeast, and then follow all of the other advise about how to avoid future overgrowth. If your meds are causing this recurrence, discuss with your doc about possibly taking a monthly dose of Diflucan, but you may be able to head off future infection with your diet and habits.

[fishead]

THANK YOU THANK YOU to EVERYone who responded.

I will look up some local "Schools of Dentistry", and will start eating yogurt every morning.

I really DO appreciate your responses!!!!!