Tooth Problems. What's Your Experience?

[AliB]

I have had a lot of fillings over the years - I have managed to get away without false teeth but my mouth is full of the dreaded mercury (don't start Rachel!!)

Weirdly though, I remember as a teenager that I could have a huge hole in my tooth but little or no pain (good excuse to hold off going to the dentist for as long as poss!). Even now I have a hole in a tooth but it is not bothering me at all - mind you, that's probably because it is already filled!

One of my front teeth is cracked and very brown and it doesn't help that a twit of a dentist ground the bottom off it after filling it a few years ago for some reason only known to himself. I might have mentioned that it wasn't biting properly but he got carried away and it ended up about 2mm shorter than the other one! Doh! Several other teeth are brown, 2 have been replaced with crowns and 2 have been removed completely. One of my wisdom teeth is sitting sideways in the jaw and has been for years!

My son has had loads of problems with his teeth since a young teenager. He has a small plate with 3 teeth which is always breaking - I think it's stuck with superglue right now or he holds it in with chewing gum or something! He's ended up accidentally flushing 2 of them down the toilet after being sick! They are expensive to replace which is why he hasn't bothered to replace it again! He's only 26 and has had it since 17. Shame - you tend only to associate false teeth with old men! I would not be at all surprised if he was Celiac. He's recently started the gluten-free diet so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

What's your toothy experience?

[jerseyangel]

Gawd Ali! My tooth experiences aren't as extreme as you and your son's--but I do have a problem with teeth cracking and breaking.

I've had to have a moler pulled due to it cracking in half--and there was not trauma to the tooth or decay...it just cracked. This happened also to a front tooth--I've had that one bonded so it blends in.

I have a couple other molars where the little top points are broken off, too. The interesting thing is that in my life I've had very little tooth decay--almost no fillings except one composite one and a small silver one on the edge of a molar. But I have lots of cracks and breakage.

My younger son (who I sometimes wonder whether he may have a gluten issue) has had a ton of cavities--and at the same time takes very good care of his teeth. As a young child, the dentist told us he had a lot of "pits" in his teeth, so we had them sealed. As the sealing wore off, he got cavities. At least all of his fillings are composite.

[AliB]

Hi Patti. Thank goodness your son has not had amalgam fillings.

You've had teeth crack and break too. I broke one a few months back - I was eating some stoneless prunes and bit down on one - you guessed it! It had a bit of broken stone in it - and I ended up with a broken tooth! The back half of my tooth separated from the front.

Wouldn't it be lovely if we could be like kids and get a new set every few years!

[ShayFL]

All molars filled by the time I was 20. But since that....no cavities or problems until last year when I accidentally bit down on my fork while eating. I bit hard. It hurt soooo bad and the tooth that took the most of it was "loose". So I went to the dentist the next morning. He said it would tighten back up just fine and not to worry about it. But after two weeks it was still loose as a goose, so I went back to the dentist. This time, he checks my bite and says he sees the problem and proceeds to "file" down one of my teeth. Well every since he did that my bite has been off and my teeth have moved. I am just not comfortable in my mouth for a whole year. I can visibly see that they have moved and my bite is different. The tooth did tighten up, but now there is much more space between my teeth. The floss goes in without any resistance.

I have not been back because I am terrified of what he might do next. Discovered he should have splinted the teeth. But he didnt. And he was a jerk. I told him I had vertigo and could he pleas tell me if he was going to adjust the chair. He moved it up and down like a mad man even tho I kept sitting up and telling him it made me dizzy. And his filing that tooth changed my bite and I have no confidence in him.

We have HMO dental and I called down the list by no one but him uses digital x-rays. So I am waiting till September when Hubby can choose PPO dental and I can go to a dentist I want to go to. I have one I used years ago and liked and he is very mercury conscience and uses digital x-rays and such.

[AliB]

Hi Shay, glad you decided not to leave!

These dentists are a law unto themselves! My son had terrible problems with his - the bloke didn't do his work properly and the poor kid had to shell out nearly

[jerseyangel]

Ladies, I had a similar experience with a dentist

When I had my filling done--probably about 13 years ago--I couldn't bite down on that side without pain on the teeth below the filling. I went back 3-4 times to have the filling filed back, and even then it wasn't the same. The dentist said that I would just "find a new way to chew in the weeks and months to come...."

I did, but I feel that this was the catalyst for the TMJ Dysfunction that I was diagnosed with in 2004.

This guy also, without asking me or anything, popped out 2 very small silver fillings that I had on the sides of molars and replaced them with composite. He figured he's do it while my mouth was numb.

At the time, he was very proud that he had "done sonething nice for me"--and now I know that he did it in a non-safe way.....I had no idea at the time.

[flourgirl]

I think that lots of us have dental complaints! My jaw is too small....so I had to have my wisdom teeth removed. They were trying to come in with no place to go. Like you, AliB, I had W. teeth growing sideways in my gums.

Until I was in my 20's, I only had a filling or two....but they've deteriorated, mostly in the last 10 years, give or take. The last couple of years have seen my teeth cracking and breaking....at the root! I didn't know that teeth could break below the gum line, yet I've lost several this way. I've lost the enamal on my teeth, and now I know why. I've also gotten Osteoporosis, even tho' I've been taking Calcium with D for over 10 years faithfully. My last dentist told me I was brushing my teeth too much (which was the last straw with him, I'd never heard anything so ridiculous ). His fillings wouldn't stay in my mouth, and somehow it was always my fault.

I did try another dentist before I started going to my current one. She was more concerned that I didn't have a "complementary set" and wanted to pull out healthy teeth because there wasn't on directly opposite! I pity any patient who remains faithful to that mentality.

Anyway...that's the short story. Wish you luck with your teeth, and luck to everybody else also

[Rachel--24]

I have had a lot of fillings over the years - I have managed to get away without false teeth but my mouth is full of the dreaded mercury (don't start Rachel!!)

I wasn't even gonna say anything (this time)!!

Ok...heres my story.

My teeth have always been in pretty good shape. Only 4 cavities when I was little. Absolutely no problems with my mouth/gums/teeth until I got two of the fillings drilled out and replaced with crowns.

One of the crowns kept disturbing my bite. At first it was even...but afterwards it was as if something was "forcing" the crown out. I had to go back about 3 times and each time the crown was filed down...until finally it had been filed too much and broke. Another crown was ordered but there were still problems. I could feel pressure and warmth all around the crown...it seemed like "gases" were coming out.

I got severe TMJ...major clenching and grinding and my bite was totally off because the crown wouldnt stay in place.

I still have TMJ.

I got sore gums and the bone above each new crown grew out about an inch...in a very short period of time. So now I have all this extra bone growth up there but at least its not visable.

The same crown kept giving me problems...the dentist did an x-ray and showed me a black spot on the x-ray...he said I needed a root canal. I was scared...and I'd never had a root canal before. The day I went in to have the RC I asked him if he was positive that I needed a root canal??

He said he'd do another x-ray if it would make me feel better. The new x-ray showed no black spot.

I left the office without having the root canal and not trusting the dentist at all.

Eventually because the tooth kept hurting me and was sensitive to hot/cold...I went back for the root canal. Nothing changed after the root canal and the tooth still hurt. I went to about 3 root canal "specialists" who all informed me that the root canal was PERFECT....and there couldnt possibly be any pain in a tooth which is dead.

Eventually I went to a biological dentist for the safe removal of my 2 remaining amalgams. We discussed the root canal and he said if its hurting theres something wrong. He said I might want to consider extracting the tooth.

I ended up doing just that and alot of my mouth symptoms went away after the tooth was removed. I still have a space but luckily its in the back and so far my teeth havent shifted. Its been over 3 years now.

My teeth still look good but I'm sad that I had to lose one unnecessarily because of whatever this dentist did with unsafe amalgam removals and adding gold crowns when I still had 2 amalgams in my mouth. I had never experienced any tooth pain until all of this started with drilling out those 2 fillings. I never had jaw problems, clenching problems or any problems related to my teeth.

I do have one tooth that has a tiny chip on the bottom....its very small and not noticeable except that I can feel it with my tongue.

Despite all my health problems my teeth still seem to be in good shape. I get alot of compliments on my teeth (thanks to 2 years of braces when I was 12) but I know that my gums are in bad shape. I'm not that consistent with flossing and because of everything that happened I'm scared to go to the dentist for cleanings. Its been a few years since I've went and I probably have a lot of work to do to get my gums in better condition.

I have alot of mineral deficiencies but so far (knock on wood) my teeth are still ok. I think I should schedule to see the dentist. I would only go to a biological dentist after all this and there are a couple good ones that I've met in my area. I need to make this a priority.

[ShayFL]

I never really had a "fear" of the dentist until this past year. I actually used to enjoy cleanings. Anytime I can lay there for 45 minutes and close my eyes and do nothing is relaxing to me. And I dont have "pain" issues.

But I am worried now what they will do and find. But I will go to the "good dentist" once I get the PPO in the fall.

[AliB]

I've always hated the dentist. For years I have always had my fillings and work done without any painkiller as I figured the couple minutes of pain in the surgery was better than the agony for hours afterwards as the injection wore off!

Maybe I was intolerant of the substance they used, but recently I had to have my first injection for years as the dentist had to do a new crown (the tooth that broke in half) and it was actually ok, so I'm assuming they must be using a different painkiller now.

All I can remember about it back then even as a kid, was the rolling around on my bed for hours in absolute agony, not knowing what to do with myself.

The other thing that put me off injections was that my uncle developed a permanent tic in one side of his face after a dentist's injection!

[ShayFL]

Years ago I had a filling. My last one before I had all of the mercury removed. Anyway, it took 3 injections and I still felt it. So when I had the mercury removed, I didnt take the injections. Yes, it hurt, but not that bad.

[Rachel--24]

All I can remember about it back then even as a kid, was the rolling around on my bed for hours in absolute agony, not knowing what to do with myself.

The other thing that put me off injections was that my uncle developed a permanent tic in one side of his face after a dentist's injection!

One of the things that my doctor is looking at as a possible "trigger" for my problems was the anesthetic used prior to the work that was done. We think it *may* have caused some problems that set off this cascade of events which *may* have put my body under stress and also impaired my abilty to detox.

The injection contained epinephrine which many people can be sensitive to. It also contains sulfites which can also cause problems for some people.

The epinephrine causes the blood vessels to close and it revs up the nervous system. It provokes a "fight or flight" response. Sometimes this effect lasts alot longer than it should and during that time other problems may develop. Since I had other things going on....such as mercury fillings getting drilled out after the injection....its possible that my system became overwhelmed.

All I can remember about the injection is that it *had* to of been very unpleasant for me because when I returned to have my crowns put in I actually begged the dentist to NOT use the injection. I was willing to deal with the pain but he would not allow it.

I also recall him using the anesthetic excessively. I recall that each time my whole head was numb....not just the area around my mouth...but my entire head. It also lasted for most of the day instead of wearing off after an hour or two.

In addition I learned that people with certain conditions...particularly Graves Disease should be very careful with epinephrine. It is recommended that epinephrine be avoided or used with extreme caution.

This dentist was aware that I had Graves....but he definately wasnt cautious with the administration of these injections. He was also not at all cautious with the removal of my mercury fillings.

So now I have to try to get a small sample of the anesthetic so that my doctors can test it and determine if it was a problem or not.

[AliB]

Apparently Epinephrine or Ephedrine is often one of the constiuents of Ecstasy tablets!

Years a go I had a cold when we were on vacation. I bought a pack of Sudafed tablets and faithfully took some before bed each evening. I didn't sleep a wink all week! I was an absolute wreck by the end of the holiday.

When I discovered the effects of the Pseudo-Ephedrine in the tablets I was livid. The pack said 'does not cause drowsiness', but nowhere did it say 'this will keep you awake all damn night!' Grrrrrr!

I really ought to have complained to the company about them and sued them for the cost of the spoiled holiday. I'd have been better off with the cold and no Sudafed! If I ever take them now, I never take them after 5pm!

[sandpiper]

One of the things that my doctor is looking at as a possible "trigger" for my problems was the anesthetic used prior to the work that was done. We think it *may* have caused some problems that set off this cascade of events which *may* have put my body under stress and also impaired my abilty to detox.

The injection contained epinephrine which many people can be sensitive to. It also contains sulfites which can also cause problems for some people.

The epinephrine causes the blood vessels to close and it revs up the nervous system. It provokes a "fight or flight" response. Sometimes this effect lasts alot longer than it should and during that time other problems may develop. Since I had other things going on....such as mercury fillings getting drilled out after the injection....its possible that my system became overwhelmed.

All I can remember about the injection is that it *had* to of been very unpleasant for me because when I returned to have my crowns put in I actually begged the dentist to NOT use the injection. I was willing to deal with the pain but he would not allow it.

I also recall him using the anesthetic excessively. I recall that each time my whole head was numb....not just the area around my mouth...but my entire head. It also lasted for most of the day instead of wearing off after an hour or two.

In addition I learned that people with certain conditions...particularly Graves Disease should be very careful with epinephrine. It is recommended that epinephrine be avoided or used with extreme caution.

This dentist was aware that I had Graves....but he definately wasnt cautious with the administration of these injections. He was also not at all cautious with the removal of my mercury fillings.

So now I have to try to get a small sample of the anesthetic so that my doctors can test it and determine if it was a problem or not.

Hi Rachel,

Just wondering if you had looked into the epinephrine shots that don't have that in them? I know that like many I can not do this type of shot as I also have Graves disease that was not dx until much later in life ( I am now 59 ).

With dental work, and skin cancer and other medical surgeries in the past and even before I was dx with the Graves, I had to explain to the doctors not to use that type of anesthectic as my heart rate would beat almost uncontrollably, causing shortness of breath and other problems.

Have your doctors suggested using this kind instead?

I would like to also ask you if by chance you have had any kind of skin problems before getting dx with your Graves? If so, what would it be? I have had breakouts on my forehead ( next to the hairline ) and a bit lower on my face.

I had this for a number of years and the doctors could not figure it out. This did improve, but, now when I go outside in the sun even for a short time and this would be a more direct sun exposure I break out with a welt looking sore ( three-four of them ) that at first is a little itchy, and then hurts and they start to scab over ( they are filled a bit with a type of infection almost look ) this all takes place with in a few hours of exposure, sorry to get into this with such detail, and believe me it is so embarrassing if I didn't have bangs I would probably never go out of the house. These sores last for days as they try to dry out and heal. I have a few years ago been tested for lupus but it was negative. The reason I am asking you and any of our friends here who are on a hormone replacement for low thyroid ( and for sure you know ours is with being treated with RAI ), when getting too much of this kind of medicine it will show itself in this manner of the outbreaks for myself, let me add that I do see this connection when usually I am over-medicated. Again I am sorry to be so long winded with this question, it is that I usually don't get to "talk" to many other Graves people.

If you or anyone here could help me with this I would greatly appreciate any responses as the doctors do not seem to have any answers except of course to medicate and I tried this and could not tolerate them ( as most medicines make my body react ).

Thanks Rachel, the best to you and your health,

Susie

[Rachel--24]

Hi Rachel,

Just wondering if you had looked into the epinephrine shots that don't have that in them? I know that like many I can not do this type of shot as I also have Graves disease that was not dx until much later in life ( I am now 59 ).

I wasnt aware at the time that epinephrine could be a problem for me. I had always been very healthy and had never had a negative reaction to any shots, food, chemicals, etc. The Graves Disease was my first sign of any health problems and I actually didnt think much of it as my symptoms werent severe. I would only experience symptoms during times of high stress....I would then take PTU for a few days and I'd be fine for months.

It wasnt until after my dental work that everything got out of control.....not only with the Graves....but with everything else as well. I completely lost my health.

I do know *now* that I need to avoid epinephrine and I'm aware that I can ask for shots without it....but at the time I had no reason to think there was any risk. The dentist was aware that I had an overactive thyroid....the info. was on my chart as it was the *only* health problem I had at the time. If he's administering these shots shouldnt he know that there are risks in patients with Graves Disease??

I know that I wont be having a repeat of this incident. For one thing I'm more informed....but also I'm now hypersentive/reactive to *most* things....so until my situation improves no dentist will be injecting me with anything.

I also will see only biological (mercury-free) dentists from here on out. The two that I've seen have alot of experience with patients who are toxic and very chemically sensitive. The dentist who gave me these shots in the first place was oblivious to everything....including the fact that there are health risks with unsafe removals of mercury fillings. Also, clueless that mixing different metals in the same mouth is dangerous....and obviously oblivious about injecting epinephrine (excessively) into a patient who has Graves Disease.

So I learned my lesson the hard way....but I learned it well. I dont go into anything blindly anymore....I will not just assume that any doctor or dentist is looking out for my best interest. I would not EVER see another dentist or doctor who isnt acknowledging these risks and who isnt doing everything in their power to make the safety of the patient their main priority.

I would like to also ask you if by chance you have had any kind of skin problems before getting dx with your Graves? If so, what would it be? I have had breakouts on my forehead ( next to the hairline ) and a bit lower on my face.

Actually I never had any skin symptoms or breakouts prior to my diagnosis. However, immediately after RAI I did experience breakouts......all kinds of little blistery things on my back and some on my face. Not typical pimples...but tiny clear blisters. I assumed it was from my hormones going crazy because I went EXTREMELY hyper following RAI.

I was prepared for the possibility of going hyper before things settled down but it kept going more and more in the direction of hyper (to the point that it was becoming dangerous) and I had to temporarily go back on PTU to try to calm things down. It worked and from there I went all the way in the oppsosite direction with a TSH of 26.5....and then I started with the thyroid replacement.

I'm not sure if the blisters were a result of the hormones swinging from one direction to the next....or from the radioactive iodine itself (my body trying to detox from it?)....or from something else entirely. I had all of these other problems that came on after my dental work but during that first year I had thought that my symtpoms were caused by the Graves only. The Graves probably worsened the severity of my symtpoms but they actually never went away even after I was stabilized and it was determined that they werent caused by my thyroid problems.

The blisters did go away though.....a few months after RAI the blisters cleared up.

What meds are you taking?? I took a few different brands and found that I reacted to the dyes. The synthetic pills are colored according to dosage. I was not doing well with my meds and then I requested white pills instead. The white ones only came in one dose so I had to take a few and use a pill cutter to get my correct dose.

I played around with my meds (and the doses) quite a bit....because for a long time I was convinced all my problems were from not being dosed correctly. My endo. got tired of fighting with me and actually let me try different things. I made myself go way hyper a couple times but did not experience any breakouts during those times. I would have my levels tested constantly and I definately was over-medicating.

Anyways, I found that I tolerated the natural stuff much better....no dyes or other junk to worry about. I've been on Armour about 4 years now....with no problems.

It would seem to me that your body is reactive to something. Were the breakouts occuring before you started the thyroid replacement?

[nutralady2001]

Terrible teeth all my life...right from a tiny child.........absolute nightmare.

Now have top dentures and am thinking about lower ones

[sandpiper]

I wasnt aware at the time that epinephrine could be a problem for me. I had always been very healthy and had never had a negative reaction to any shots, food, chemicals, etc. The Graves Disease was my first sign of any health problems and I actually didnt think much of it as my symptoms werent severe. I would only experience symptoms during times of high stress....I would then take PTU for a few days and I'd be fine for months.

It wasnt until after my dental work that everything got out of control.....not only with the Graves....but with everything else as well. I completely lost my health.

I do know *now* that I need to avoid epinephrine and I'm aware that I can ask for shots without it....but at the time I had no reason to think there was any risk. The dentist was aware that I had an overactive thyroid....the info. was on my chart as it was the *only* health problem I had at the time. If he's administering these shots shouldnt he know that there are risks in patients with Graves Disease??

I know that I wont be having a repeat of this incident. For one thing I'm more informed....but also I'm now hypersentive/reactive to *most* things....so until my situation improves no dentist will be injecting me with anything.

I also will see only biological (mercury-free) dentists from here on out. The two that I've seen have alot of experience with patients who are toxic and very chemically sensitive. The dentist who gave me these shots in the first place was oblivious to everything....including the fact that there are health risks with unsafe removals of mercury fillings. Also, clueless that mixing different metals in the same mouth is dangerous....and obviously oblivious about injecting epinephrine (excessively) into a patient who has Graves Disease.

So I learned my lesson the hard way....but I learned it well. I dont go into anything blindly anymore....I will not just assume that any doctor or dentist is looking out for my best interest. I would not EVER see another dentist or doctor who isnt acknowledging these risks and who isnt doing everything in their power to make the safety of the patient their main priority.

Actually I never had any skin symptoms or breakouts prior to my diagnosis. However, immediately after RAI I did experience breakouts......all kinds of little blistery things on my back and some on my face. Not typical pimples...but tiny clear blisters. I assumed it was from my hormones going crazy because I went EXTREMELY hyper following RAI.

I was prepared for the possibility of going hyper before things settled down but it kept going more and more in the direction of hyper (to the point that it was becoming dangerous) and I had to temporarily go back on PTU to try to calm things down. It worked and from there I went all the way in the oppsosite direction with a TSH of 26.5....and then I started with the thyroid replacement.

I'm not sure if the blisters were a result of the hormones swinging from one direction to the next....or from the radioactive iodine itself (my body trying to detox from it?)....or from something else entirely. I had all of these other problems that came on after my dental work but during that first year I had thought that my symtpoms were caused by the Graves only. The Graves probably worsened the severity of my symtpoms but they actually never went away even after I was stabilized and it was determined that they werent caused by my thyroid problems.

The blisters did go away though.....a few months after RAI the blisters cleared up.

What meds are you taking?? I took a few different brands and found that I reacted to the dyes. The synthetic pills are colored according to dosage. I was not doing well with my meds and then I requested white pills instead. The white ones only came in one dose so I had to take a few and use a pill cutter to get my correct dose.

I played around with my meds (and the doses) quite a bit....because for a long time I was convinced all my problems were from not being dosed correctly. My endo. got tired of fighting with me and actually let me try different things. I made myself go way hyper a couple times but did not experience any breakouts during those times. I would have my levels tested constantly and I definately was over-medicating.

Anyways, I found that I tolerated the natural stuff much better....no dyes or other junk to worry about. I've been on Armour about 4 years now....with no problems.

It would seem to me that your body is reactive to something. Were the breakouts occuring before you started the thyroid replacement?

Hi Rachel,

Sorry for the delay, as the last few days have been more hectic for me. I do want to thank you for your quick response and filling me in on some of your experiences ( it is so great to have these forums to do just that with one another and have the very best input from those who have traveled the path).

It does sound as if you have had your "nightmares" with the doctors and their more than fumbling actions in undoing your health even more. One does have to start to fill in the blanks when the doctors lack the time and experience to help the individual patient, and we begin the journey of taking a hold of our own bodies and becoming our best advocate, as so many here have done (yeah)!

Your story has such a familiar ring to it, with your intolerances and hyper-sensitive reactions, same for myself. Which brought me to the same conclusion with the dyes and changing over to the fifties and splitting the pills up to make my daily dose of seventy-five, a few years ago. I am though not the most accurate with cutting those pills in half.

When I had my RAI ( which again I'll state, wish I knew then what I have learned since ), my levels really jumped quickly and at a TSH of 113 my doctor at that time didn't know how I was even walking around, I do have to admit I was feeling pretty bad. I also had just a week before being dx with my Graves, one of my parathyroids removed which is actually a rare condition, so at least going really hypo was so much better than dealing with these two diseases, it's pretty amazing what our bodies can go through.

I have also done the switching around and trial and error with the med's and have tried the natural Armour, but not realizing it at the time ( gosh we have to learn alot, sometimes the hard way ), my ferritin, was at a 18 border line-low, and this just makes trying to tolerate the levoxyl increase almost unbearable with racing heart symptoms, so the Armour was just one pill and quickly taking a beta-blocker to help with the heart racing,and not to repeat. I am happy that for you it is helping and that you have found the "right" med and dose.

Happy also for you that you did not have this on-going problem with the blisters and your skin. To answer your question about the break-outs, yes I was having them before the Graves dx, but this has waxed and waned over the years. The trigger for them is the sun and I have to think at this stillpoint with my health that it may well be an drug-induced lupus reaction and the only drug that I am taking is the levoxyl which can be one of the drugs that can promote this kind of adverse reaction and upon removing the offending drug can correct itself, and you know I can't do that. When I was in my hyper state my body was doing the same thing as it is now with the hormone replacement I have to take ( it is always so much worse when I go out in the sun ). What do you think of this theory? If anyone here has some input on this I would greatly appreciate their thoughts also. I realize that if this is the case I will more than likely have to have this a part of my life. I have tried the medicines to help calm the lesions down but I can't handle those.

I have to apologize with this post concerning mostly thyroid to others here, but I do hope that it might help with possible problems that others might have and questions that often don't get answered.

Thanks again Rachel for your help and I look forward to your message and from anyone else that has suggesttions.

Susie

[sophie-coeliac]

hi all

I have only recently been diagnoced with coeliac, and by doing a lot of research i'm finding out all kinds of associated illnesses/complaints that i've been suffering with over the last few years!

I have had weak teeth all of me life (I'm 23 now); nearly all of my teeth are filled. I admit, when i was younger I didnt look after them properly, and I do have a very sweet tooth! But, in comparison to my brother who eats just as much junk as i do, and i know for a fact that he doesn't look after them as well as I do, my teeth are in a terrible state! They 'look' healthy enough when I smile, but that's about as far as it goes.

What is the connection between coeliac and poor teeth?

Take care everyone

[Chrissyb]

As long as I can remember I have has problems with my teeth. I can remember being in 1st grade being put to sleep and have my moller taken out, must of been something my mom did when she was pregnant I don't know, but seems like I have always had problems with them. I take care of them as far a burshing and flossing but to now avail at this point I have to with big pieces missing and one with a filling that has fallen out. Oh and on side that I am not sure what is wrong with it I can not chew on that side, can not put any pressure on it. I am sure all the courses of oral and IV steriods I have done for my MS have not helped and if my body has not been processing all the good stuff from the food like it is suppose to well that would explain things.

Dont get me started on dentist the are so expensive, I am afraid to go to one I am sure I am looking at least $2000 worth of work I need to have done and I don't have that. Maybe I will get some wax and stick it in the holes . Oh well such is life.

[hubub]

Oh Boy - I can definitely relate to this!!!

I too have had problems since childhood. Numerous cavities & filling. Then as an adult the root canals started coming - UGH!!

The one thing I did notice that always seemed odd was 'out of the blue' I would notice small 'pits' or 'dips' in some of my teeth & my dentist always gave them a gentle grinding/buffing to even them back out. He & I never understood what caused them.

Needless to say I am now 47 with a total upper plate & I LOVE IT! Absolutely no more worrying (on top) about running to the dentist to get another problem resolved!!

However, the lowers have holes, fillings & am due for yet ANOTHER root canal. Go figure

[gardener1]

I have had a lot of fillings over the years - I have managed to get away without false teeth but my mouth is full of the dreaded mercury (don't start Rachel!!)

Weirdly though, I remember as a teenager that I could have a huge hole in my tooth but little or no pain (good excuse to hold off going to the dentist for as long as poss!). Even now I have a hole in a tooth but it is not bothering me at all - mind you, that's probably because it is already filled!

One of my front teeth is cracked and very brown and it doesn't help that a twit of a dentist ground the bottom off it after filling it a few years ago for some reason only known to himself. I might have mentioned that it wasn't biting properly but he got carried away and it ended up about 2mm shorter than the other one! Doh! Several other teeth are brown, 2 have been replaced with crowns and 2 have been removed completely. One of my wisdom teeth is sitting sideways in the jaw and has been for years!

My son has had loads of problems with his teeth since a young teenager. He has a small plate with 3 teeth which is always breaking - I think it's stuck with superglue right now or he holds it in with chewing gum or something! He's ended up accidentally flushing 2 of them down the toilet after being sick! They are expensive to replace which is why he hasn't bothered to replace it again! He's only 26 and has had it since 17. Shame - you tend only to associate false teeth with old men! I would not be at all surprised if he was Celiac. He's recently started the gluten-free diet so it will be interesting to see how he gets on.

What's your toothy experience?

I was told a couple of weeks ago that I have a external resorption in one of my teeth. On the xray, it shows up as a perfectly round hole on the side of my tooth. The doctor said that usually, these are a result of a car accident or getting hit in the mouth with a ball. He then added that there is a percentage of people that they have no idea why the tooth is doing this. The doctor went on to explain that usually, the 1st time someone even knows that there is a problem is when the tooth breaks. He said usually, there is no pain before hand to warn of a problem. I asked him if this was another problem (for me) associated with my celiac disease and he said that he didn't know. It does sound logical. Any time the doctors don't know what is causing a problem, it turns out to be celiac.

My solution to my external (there can be internal also) resorption has been 1st surgery to lower my gum line so that the dentist can get to the empty area, then hopefully just a filling. The dentist won't know until he gets into the tooth if a filling will work, or if they will have to crown it. If he can do neither, they will have to pull it - after all this expense!

I have a mouth full of filling (4 of which have gotten so large that I finally had to crown them) even though I floss everyday and get my teeth cleaned every 6 months. This is the 1st one that has been identified as resorption, not a cavity, but I wonder if any of the "cavities" were really resorptions.

I told my doctor that I would try this site to see if anyone else has had any resorption problems. He wants to know so that he can tell other patients to check for celiac if they have a resorption, but haven't been hit in the mouth. Has anyone else been told that this is another celiac curse?