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Tooth problems

ornella profile image
16 Replies

Can anyone help ? Every time I go to the dentist for a filling or something I have an afib episode. Is it the adrenaline injections for the pain? I ask him to use injections without epi. Still I am concerned that the whole procedure will trigger af again and the more I am scared the more my teeth have problems lately. If anyone has some suggestions for that I would be grateful.

CDreamer once more I thank you for the stellaria cream Neal's Yard, it is awesome and seems to work for my dermatitis. Any suggestion about the above issue?

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ornella profile image
ornella
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16 Replies
Finvola profile image
Finvola

Adrenaline in dental anaesthetic can trigger heart rhythm problems - AF or tachycardia. If your dentist IS using adrenaline-free anaesthetic, then the problem could be caused by anxiety from your first experience of AF at the dentist and waiting for it to happen again.

Would a mild sedative help? Perhaps your dentist has a suggestion as you don’t want to have episodes of AF each time. Failing that, I would be inclined to discuss the problem with my doc. I have adrenaline free injections each time and, so far, have had no problems. Best wishes with a solution.

ornella profile image
ornella in reply to Finvola

thank you Finvola, you are right about anxiety but also every time I need him he has never free appointment, not eager to work overtime and that makes me very angry because he doesn't seem to understand how nice is to have an afib episode. All these together make me very unbalanced and then af comes.

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Follow Finvolas advice and you should be fine.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

You are welcome, glad it worked for you!

As to dentists - you need an understanding dentist who listens to you and puts you at ease. If the relationship is difficult & you are distressed before you walk through the door, that alone could be a trigger. Any alternatives possible?

I hated trips to dentist but my teeth got so neglected I had to go & have a lot of work done but I was only able to once I found the right dentist and I now will only see female dentists because they were so much more empathic & offered me coping strategies. One introduced me to tapping techniques because every instrument I had in my mouth would trigger the gag response. I passed out several times with the stress but now I have found a really good dentist - who also charges about half my previous guy - and I use tapping - no more problem.

Tapping as in Emotional Freedom Techniques- look it up as it is a self help technique.

Best wishes CD

ornella profile image
ornella in reply to CDreamer

You always say the right thing that is exactly what I need, You are right about the dentist and I am working on it now. I have a lot or work done in my teeth and I am afraid to visit young ones because of the experience they have, but I hope that I will find the right person.

I am aware of tapping and I practice it every day. It is a wonderful technique for stress relief and not only.

thanks again and God bless.

seasider18 profile image
seasider18 in reply to CDreamer

What do they do if half way through a procedure and you pass out ?

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer in reply to seasider18

As it happened, both times they hadn’t started so they stopped, sat me upright, wouldn’t let me out of the surgery until a friend arrived and I had to stay at her house for the night as I had travelled up 200 miles to see the dentist I was happy with rather than chance one I didn’t know. After that we all realised I was reacting to the Adrenaline in the local anaesthesia which is now avoided.

Dentist have extensive medical training as well so they know what to look out for.

I have the same with problem with the dentist, I've got a very understanding one and uses the non adrenaline mix, but I think the stress starts it's off. I find that 5-7mg of diazapam half hour before the appt does the trick. It relaxes me enough that it doesn't start any Afib and has worked well so far.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

ask for non adrenaline and have it put on your notes that you have A/F and if it is fear related ask your doc for a mild drug to help with that

Polski profile image
Polski

Taking Vitamin D and CoQ10 may improve the condition of your teeth and gums. You may find it worthwhile reading 'The Dental Diet' by Dr Steven Lin.

ThinkHealth1 profile image
ThinkHealth1 in reply to Polski

Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered the book.

Dadog profile image
Dadog

I agree with everything said before. An empathic, skilled and caring dentist is essential. I go along with CDreamer and have a wonderful, female dentist, who, only 2 days ago, removed three difficult teeth, using a goodly amount of non adrenalin based injection and needed to use sutures to tidy things up. Importantly, I was never uncomfortable and felt no real pain. Mentally, I have developed a means of going off somewhere very nice, with golden, sandy beaches and blue sea! It works for me with dentists, MRI scanners and anything else which promises to be stressful.

Hard to advise anyone who has dental problems and doubts. Only that to sit down and discuss your anxieties with your dentist - who should be willing to do this. If not, find another who will.

ornella profile image
ornella

I really appreciate your help, I have already made a step to find another one and let's hope he will be the kind of doc needed for me, otherwise i have another option with a lady that has good references about her empathic attitude. thank you.

fib4 profile image
fib4

sometimes i think being nervous at the dentist causes an episode to flair up. i go through it myself. my heart goes in to overdrive and then i feel light headed. for me it's just nerves that cause it

cat3 profile image
cat3

Only recently joined the forum Ornella so my suggestion might be outdated, but just in case...……...

I can't tolerate adrenalin based anaesthetics for the same reason so my dentist gives me 'Citanest' (Prilocaine hydrochloride) which gives me no problems whatsoever.

Cat x

ornella profile image
ornella in reply to cat3

Thank you Cat x, I was lucky enough to be introduced to a new dentist and he uses anesthesia without adrenaline and I had no problem with him, so it is fixed, thanks anyway, best.

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