Going to the dentist can be complicated when you have MS

Jeg kan ledt følge dig.....fra DK

Even after more than eight hours of sleep, I am exhausted. On good days, I can make it to around 3:00 p.m. okay. I do know my problems in the dental chair are because of my imbalance. I give the dentist a heads up before he puts the chair back. Movement of any kind can set off my "seasickness" pretty easily. Thank you for your articles. They are always appreciated.

Stay blessed!

Always enjoy reading your articles. By any chance,
can you recommend a dentist in the Dobbs Ferry, Hastings and/or Irvington, NY area?

I have swallowing issues, so visiting the dentist stresses me out! I’m always worried about choking on my saliva and the water they flush my mouth with! Being reclined doesn’t help. I let them know ahead of time that I may need to sit up a few times and that I will need extra suctioning of fluids from my mouth.

I went to the dentist recently and they dug out a tooth. On piece of the root was embedded in my sinus so I had to see a oral surgeon who dug that out. I ended up on several antibiotics then boom....I had a angry flair because of a tooth surgery. My whole body locked up. Nothing like having control of your body. Dead weight. I ended up in the hospital with high dose steriods for 6 days. I'm better but still very weak. I also had pneumonia and a uti. Just because of a tooth. I will really think about dentists visits in the future.

An alternate toothbrush -Mishwauk club. With diminished dexterity and strength, I find this form of toothbrush much easier to manipulate. I also don't have to worry about a battery running out and I don't have to worry about extra sensitivity in my mouth and gums. Besides, it is naturally antimicrobial so no extra mouthwash and no spitting. Since you don't have to use toothpaste if you don't want to when brushing your teeth, there's no spitting involved, you can simply swallow your saliva.

I also have PPMS. I was djagnosed late in my life at 64 years old. I too suffer from all the things you do. I have been taking AMPRIDINE 10MG 2 times a day and it has helped me walk. I am still not in a wheelchair and have to use a walker or rollator to walk.. I have been using a Bionic Sleeve on my right leg made by a company called CIONIX from California. It stimulates your leg with Electrodes. I have had great success with it. Check it out. Thank you for writing your info and happy life.

I agree with everything you said. What also bothers me is the new technique to clean the tarter off. I think it is something like ultrasonic? It vibrates through my whole body and exhausts me. I found an old-fashioned dentist that uses the original scrape-the-tarter off. Problem solved — well, at least that problem.

You are so articulate! I enjoy your columns so much, but sorry for your situations. Luckily had most heavy duty dental work done before MS put the hammer down but do worry about choking sometimes when tipped back. 21 year MS old timer here.
Sigh. We must continue on, mustn’t we?

Your t-shirt idea is hilarious. I want one. Thanks for your article. Lots of things to consider. I wish you well.

I have had great success with a water pick

‘dentists need find out the best way to serve their patients with MS such as make the restrooms available in the waiting room.

Thanks for the reminder about my MS choking risk.
Will need to mention it to my new dentist at next week's dental appointment.

My daughter just got thr baclofen pump in May of this year. Both legs bent backwards, legs getting better but still bent but not like they were. She could really use a wheelchair that tilts and reclines

Wheelchairs make career impossible

Going to the dentist has always been a challenge for me. I was fortunate to find an office which recognized I was arriving in a wheelchair and transfers were difficult. They were able to make the chair at a level that worked. Once in the chair I was always positioned upside down for the work to be done. Always close my eyes to overcome anxiety. Because I had older fillings twelve needed to be replaced over the course of several months. I found a dentist who used a dam so everything being removed didn’t go down my throat. I also didn’t have numbing done with regular Novocain whiich has epinephrine. Then came the need for an implant which required anesthesia. The surgeon was a bit heavy handed with it so it took awhile to recover. Yes, all of these procedures were exhausting but they were needed rather than waiting for an emergency. Thank goodness now I only need cleanings twice a year! And I’m grateful to have a loving husband who helps me.

I find using a bite block helps with fatigue. You have to ask for one, and sometimes remind the dentist even if you just asked for one, but they make a huge difference for me.

This article was very enlightening. I shared it with family in hopes they would get a better understanding of the different things my body goes through, daily.
Thank you

My nerves and reflexes used to be more excitable, especially during teeth cleaning. I always asked for manual cleaning versus the auto teeth cleaning gizmo.