Copd and dental treatment

[mickyjoan4]

Hello all, I wanted to ask about tooth extraction and root canal work which I am due to have. I have severe copd and also anxiety. Great combo ! Please has anyone else had dental treatment like this with copd, does it hurt very much? Does it bleed a lot? What happens if I need to cough, oh just talking about this is awful, any kind words would be so appreciated, thank you so much.

[Hidden]

Hi, I had root canal treatment, sorry no extraction. I was very lucky as I had treatment day before lockdown in March (also new dentist) I have COPD and was also worrying about the coughing. Dentist was amazing , the root canal treatment went well. I had a bad infection and this was all cleared out. Form I completed asked about health issues etc so dentist fully aware of my concerns. Everything went better than I could have hoped for. So good luck mickyjoan4

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Sara. I filled out a form but didn’t mention copd just ticked asthma box and list of medicines. .

[Hidden in reply to mickyjoan4]

Hi give them a call and inform them of your anxiety , I cough all the time but got through treatment ok. Fingers and toes all crossed for you xx

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I think I will call them, thank you.

[Hidden]

Hi Mickyjoan - this is a difficult situation to be in, I would have suggested referral to the hospital for dental procedure but with your health and the pandemic probably not the best idea.

You could phone the doctor or the dentist and say you have severe copd and anxiety and the thought of the procedure is already making you very anxious (is there something you can take to help approach the treatment in a calmer frame of mind).

I wonder if some sort of special, short lived anti anxiety med can be prescribed for you to take before your appointment.

I have had a root canal filling, and extraction historically, I didn't have COPD at the time, I recall the procedure for root canal filling did take some time but there were a couple of rest breaks and of course had the local anesthetic so you don't feel any pain, the extraction, they just kept at it until removed, then its just clean up and plugging until bleeding stops, they do that though. You should be given anti biotics to take after I think and also for the soreness you will feel once anesthetic wears off at home you can take paracetamol but ask the dentist, see what is suggested.

This was just my historical experience keep in mind, things may be much improved by now and the procedure could be much quicker and less stressful.

Your dentist should be aware of any medications you are taking and know about your COPD and anxiety.

Hope all goes well and you can come back and say it was a doddle

[Hidden]

I have had so much dental work like this. As I have bronchiectasis my problems are probably different to copd. Do make sure that you let the dentist know before they start work that you have copd and this can give you difficulties because of your breathing. For instance, if you need to sit up a little whilst they are working instead of lying flat or need little breaks to sit up and get your breath. Also agree on a signal if you are going to cough and need to stop for a bit.

I have found that dentists have been very good with me but they have to know your needs.

I hope that it all goes well.

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you littlepom, I think I will ring dentist up too.

[Hidden]

Our dentist have a colleague who specialises in anxious patients and administers relaxation. This can be very good. Perhaps ask your dentist if they have this service

[Maricopa]

I’ve been very good distancing but i did have to go to the dentist last Tuesday. So far I’m okay.

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Maricopa]

Thank you maricopa.

[Alberta56]

Hi Mickeyjoan, for what it's worth I've had two extractions both painless, but before the bronchiectasis got really bad. I've been to two dentists since, both really understanding about the need to sit up and cough. My present dentist seems to know more about lung problems than some other medical people I've encountered.

Hope all goes well. I'm due for a filling myself next week, which may reveal the tooth needs more drastic treatment- extraction or root canal, so I'm probably in the same boat as you. Alberta xx

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you Alberta. Maybe I feel better about it being painless from what people have said! Good luck with your appointment too.

[Shirleyj]

I am going through dental treatment at the moment, root canal filling, I was very anxious about going and also having bronchiectasis and asthma was so frightened about coughing. My dentist is so lovely just made me feel totally at ease, I just lift my hand if I need to cough and inbetween each procedure I rinse my mouth, I didn't even feel the injection in my mouth, things have improved immensely. X x

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Shirleyj]

Thank you Shirley, makes me feel better, well a bit, I hope my dentist is as nice, he seems nice. Anxiety still high but that’s me I guess. X

[Izb1]

Just explain to your dentist your fears and that you will need to keep sitting up to cough etc . Extractions now are usually very quick and although sore for a few days are quite painless. Root canal work is longer, my old dentist used to give injections to patients who were anxious, you could ask about this if it helps. I used to be petrified of going to the dentist, this came from the old school dentists who just drilled and filled with no novacaine, but have had so much work done in years gone by, that has all gone now. I am sure you will be fine, it is all down to the dentist. Good luck x

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Izb1]

Thank you lzb1. I think school dentists is where my fear is from too. I remember a rubber face mask to put me to sleep and the pain, awful. X

[Izb1 in reply to mickyjoan4]

Oooooh I remember them drilling until they hit the nerve and nearly jumped out of the chair, think I would have preferred to be knocked out, yikes! x

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Izb1]

Me too, I had that happen once, awful and swear nobody understood that pain. No wonder it’s hard to go back, just in case but hopefully it doesn’t happen anymore. Hopefully. X

[Michele-Cat in reply to mickyjoan4]

That horrid rubber mask and the awful smell of the gas, was the stuff of kids' nightmares. I can remember holding my breath once and I was sick as a dog straight after I left the dentist.

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Michele-Cat]

Ooo that smell, awful x

[Michele-Cat]

As others have suggested, have a chat with the dentist to explain your fears and concerns. In my experience, many of them are very kind and patient, so will do their utmost to put you at ease.

I have severe emphysema and become very breathless when they first recline the chair, so he waits for me to get my breathing under control before starting any work and I raise my hand if I need to sit upright at any stage. When I've had extractions, I ask him to use a numbing gel on my gums first, which helps make the injections less painful and once the area is numb, you shouldn't feel a thing. There's been very little bleeding afterwards and following the after care advice of rinsing the mouth regularly with salt water helps speed up the healing process.

Hope this helps set your mind at rest and all goes well with your appointment.

[mickyjoan4 in reply to Michele-Cat]

I will ring him, I hope he won’t mind as I know he is very busy. Thank you for your words, I do feel bit better it’s silly just the word dentist makes me feel scared but I know I must go this time. 🥺x