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Oral Lichen Planus

Posted , 6 users are following.

penelope89280
penelope89280

Hi. I've just joined this forum so hope I'm doing it right. Dentist strongly suspects OLP and I have an appointment at the dental hospital in 2weeks time. Really helpful reading everyone's posts and I wondered if there might be any known connection between metal fillings and OLP? Just a thought. I think with me though, it is due to stress - 3 of the most traumatic things all happening to me in the last year - I'll certainly start by making some dietary changes, and am going to make an appointment with my doctor to see how he can help.

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Soocee67
    Soocee67 penelope89280

    Posted

    Hi Penelope,welcome to the forum. I have found it immensely helpful.

    I have had OLP for nearly 2 years. I agree that stress is a factor and can make it worse. My dentist and the hospital specialist both said they didn't think my fillings contributed to my condition but then I was referred to the Dental hospital in Bristol and they said I should consider having my fillings changed! So not sure where to go from here. I'd be in to hear what advice they give you. Good luck

    • penelope89280
      penelope89280 Soocee67

      Posted

      Thank you Soocee.  Trouble is, getting fillings changed can be a costly business but I'll post again after my appointment. 
  • GailD
    GailD penelope89280

    Posted

    Hi, I hope you find this forum as helpful as I have. Sorry that you may have olp, but we do support each other and share info as we get it so that's often a relief in itself. Yes, stress seems to be the main issue and like others on here, there was no correlation between fillings and the olp. Diet ch ages do help soooo much. No spices, pepper, spirits, not a lot of salt, citric acid, so not many fruits. I have found I can eat figs, cherries, grapes and bananas. But not too much. Tomatoes for me are fine, but others have had to give them is too. However, there are still lots of things to go for and generally a healthy diet of fresh veg with flavourings that aren't spicey are ok. I have also found a Colgate herbal toothpaste which is good and doesn't hurt my mouth, as well as rinsing after every toothbrushing with a non alcohol content mouthwash.  Lots of rest and sleep, cutting down on stressful activities or commitments seems to help keep it on check. good luck and I hope you get on ok at your next appointment . Gail
    • Soocee67
      Soocee67 GailD

      Posted

      Hi Gail, It's interesting that some specialists don't think dental metals are an issue and I for one hope that they are right, but I was recently referred to the oral medicine department of Bristol Dental Hospital and the specialist wrote to my dentist asking him to discuss removal and replacement! He is not keen on doing it. I am not sure where to go from here. OLP will I think aways be one of life's mysteries!
    • GailD
      GailD Soocee67

      Posted

      I think you are right! However, I would have to be fully sure it was worth the removal of fillings before I went ahead and gave the go ahead. Go careful.

      gx

       

    • penelope89280
      penelope89280 GailD

      Posted

      Thank you Gail, it's all very helpful. My dentist also told me to look out for an ingredient called Lauryl Sulphate, present in many toothpastes, which can exacerbate the problem, I found one of the Sensodyne ones which does not have it though and my gums aren't so irritated after brushing. I'll look out for the Colgate herbal one too. P
  • Soocee67
    Soocee67 penelope89280

    Posted

    Hello again,

    I have just heard from my dentist. He is ŵilling to remove my fillings but can't guarantee that no contamination will happen. The problem is that although it is common practice to have your fillings removed, and doesn't pose a threat, if you are allergic it could mKe your mouth much worse. Anyway to cut a long story short he has researched dentists who specialise in safe removal and the closest one is 150 miles away. I would need more than one appointment. I really don't know what to do now. It is also very expensive hey ho!

    • GailD
      GailD Soocee67

      Posted

      Hi, a difficult one. My dentist suggested that if  olp is present where the fillings are, they may contribute to the condition. I would want to be so certain about them being the cause before I had removal and replacement though. Perhaps give yourself a timescale to cut down stress, cut out the food and drinks that exacerbate the condition, use a toothpaste like the Colgate herbal, using a no alcohol mouthwash and meanwhile save up just in case you decided to give the dental filling removal option a go! I don't think there is any one resolution for all unfortunately. For me, taking those other small options where I'm in control is beginning to lesson my discomfort even though the olp is clearly very present. It soon lets me know if I slip up! Whatever you decide, take good care. G 
    • penelope89280
      penelope89280 GailD

      Posted

      Yes Gail, it is a bit drastic getting fillings removed and replaced, especially with large ones - see reply below - but like you, I might start saving up in case!  Must get some low alcohol mouthwash too... At least if it let's you know when you slip up you then know what the main irritants are.  Although I have less teeth on the other side I 'm going to try and stick to chewing on that side to see if it helps!  Thanks x
  • Soocee67
    Soocee67 penelope89280

    Posted

    I use Biotene toothpaste on prescription it is SLS free and very mild. I don't eat anything spicy at all. I avoid processed food caffeine and alcohol. I don't smoke. Any acidic fruit is out of the question. I don't eat any nightshade veg.

    i don't get enough sleep I know but that's beyond my control. My EOLP is on my tongue and cheeks alongside my amalgam fillings so who knows! 

    • penelope89280
      penelope89280 Soocee67

      Posted

      Went to the dental hospital yesterday, he gave me a list of toothpastes free of SLS, I had already switched to a Sensodyne one which makes a difference. I go back for a mouth biopsy in three weeks. We discussed everything including amalgam fillings, I only have two but because one of them is huge - half my tooth really - it would probably be easier to take the tooth out than to remove and replace that filling ... a bit drastic ... but we'll see. I don't smoke, eat very little in the way of spicy foods, ... do need some salt for cramp (Quinine useless, plus side effects), alcohol sometimes - that's a trickier one to give up completely!  Determined to improve my sleep patterns though. Thanks and I'll  get back when I know more x
  • rajkiwi
    rajkiwi penelope89280

    Posted

    I have read somewhere that dental fillings with mercury compounds were suspected to be causative. These days dental fillings are mercury free.

     

    • penelope89280
      penelope89280 rajkiwi

      Posted

      Yes, I'm sure that's right.  My fillings are about 30 years old though.

       

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