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Has anyone had dental/mouth pain with PMR/GCA?

Posted , 12 users are following.

edsteve09
edsteve09

I was diagnosed with PMR/GCA in July. The pain I have is not the pain I had when dx with GCA. Last week I had 2 root canals one on each side of my lower jaw.  My endo stated during the procedure that I had a lot of inflammation. Since then I've experienced jaw/dental/mouth pain like I have in my neck shoulders and arms. I'm currently on 20mg  Pred. Just wondering if anyone else has ever had similar experience or if it's just my imagination. 

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • pam48607
    pam48607 edsteve09

    Posted

    edsteve09

       I have quite a bit of experience with dental work and root canals.   I don't know how old you are or if these particular teeth had any amalgam fillings in them, BUT, if your dentist attempted to do root canal work in teeth which already contained silver fillings, that is big NO NO.   The mercury in the amalgam would be dispersed while he was drilling which could potentially cause big health issues down the road.

        That is one scenario for you.   The other less damaging is the fact that root canals can be very painful after the procedure ends.   Any kind of invasive dental work disrupts the nerve endings and that effect can last for a few weeks after.   Since your work was just performed last week, I would say that it is normal to have some residual pain after the root canal.   Also, if he didn't check your bite, your bite could be be off, which is also normal after dental work, and then each time you try to chew, it would be irritating to you. 

        I would certainly call your dentist and tell him about the pain you are having, and also have him check your bite.  That can make a difference.   There is a product called Body Mend, which is basically a liquid blend of herbal extracts.   Every time I have any dental procedure, as soon as I get home I begin taking this, and for some reason, it really helps be to get over the effects of the anesthesia and trauma of being drilled on in my mouth.  It is not a pain reliever, but it really works after minor procedures, even surgical procedures.  I would not be without it.   I tolerate it fine, and believe me, there are so many things I do not tolerate.

         I sympathize with you.   There is nothing worse than tooth pain/mouth pain/ head pain related to dental work (except for maybe GCA pain).   To answer your question, I have not experienced tooth/mouth pain with GCA, but I still have jaw pain occasionally due to mercury poisoning which I got from those silver fillings, which, thankfully, are all gone now.  I had them removed safely by a biological dentist.   

       I wish you luck.

  • linda04580
    linda04580 edsteve09

    Posted

    I am new to this disease myself, but from what I know, when you have a stresser such as illness or in your case, the root canal, it could cause an immune response requiring an increase in prednisone for a bit.  The next part is that GCA can produce jaw symptoms, and when there are jaw symptoms, it increases the incidence of vision complications.  The whole thing can also be an actual infection in your mouth from the root canals.  To protect your vision, you should call your Doc who is managing your GCA, explain all the symptoms and procedure.  
    • edsteve09
      edsteve09 linda04580

      Posted

      Thank you for replying back. In July when I was dx with GCA I had jaw pressure and vision change. Thankfully my GP started me on the correct treatment. I will call my Rheumatologist tomorrow. 
  • Michdonn
    Michdonn edsteve09

    Posted

    Yes edsteve, my gums very tender and my tongue very sensitive. As my dosage decrease the Pred side effects dismiss gradually. Now at 11 mg from a high of 30 mg. Think positive and smile. 🙂

    • edsteve09
      edsteve09 Michdonn

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. The positive thinking is something I have to remind myself often about 
    • Michdonn
      Michdonn edsteve09

      Posted

      I firmly believe that it helps. Good luck on your journey. 🙂

  • christophe38948
    christophe38948 edsteve09

    Posted

    Hi,

    For some time I had some tension in my jaw. It was temporary and from time to time. My doctor asked me for it but had no suggestions how to deal with.

    Good Luck.

    CW

    • edsteve09
      edsteve09 christophe38948

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. There are so many unexplainable things with this disorder. 
  • freda07782
    freda07782 edsteve09

    Posted

    Funny you should mention dental problems and PMR i am tapering my Pred ... now down to 3mg and have just had some teeth issues causing me to seek the dentist. It started in the lower front tooth slowly moving along to include All front teeth. Painful to bite, or chew if food got in the way. Dentist suggested rubbing sensidyne repair and protect toothpaste onto the front teeth and to leave it there. Believe it or not it worked!!!! Even felt better 24 hours later and has now cleared up! Not sure if it's the toothpaste or not but needless to say I'm now using this paste everyday and will continue. I hadn't thought about it being connected with the PMR but who knows with this strange disease? Does anyone have an eczema problem with PMR? I have a few small patches on my leg that I just can't get rid off. When mentioned to my Rheumy she said but you have always had that. In my 70+ years of life I've never had eczema until diagnosed with PMR. When on the 20 mg the eczema cleared up but as I tapered down it reappeared. Any connection? Thanks, what would we all do without this wonderful forum? 

    • EileenH
      EileenH freda07782

      Posted

      I had sensitive teeth in the early days of PMR - couldn't drink or eat cold things at all. I tried various toothpastes for sensitive teeth but only Sensodyme worked and I have used it since - I hated the taste at first! The best I find is the Pro-enamel version - least offensive taste and it works. 

    • EileenH
      EileenH freda07782

      Posted

      Ooops - forgot the eczema. In the early days of PMR I also developed a horrible and very itchy rash. Some of it was in skin creases and was probably worsened by a yeast infection and also by eating wheat. But some was in other places and was definitely triggered by highly commercialised wheat - take that out of my diet and I was fine. The local gastro was sure it was an immune response, all interlinked. 
    • freda07782
      freda07782 EileenH

      Posted

      Hello Eileen, thanks for replying about itchy rashes. Mine is on my right leg and drives me crazy mostly at night! I try very hard not to scratch but it seems so very difficult as it's so darn itchy. 2 dry, reddish patches, just can't get rid of them. Tried creams and ointments but I'll take heed of your advice and try cutting out wheat. Thanks 

  • EileenH
    EileenH edsteve09

    Posted

    Jaw pain CAN be a symptom of GCA - especially if it occurs while chewing or talking and then goes away when you stop, only to return when you resume. I suppose that if you had poor blood flow to the gums that MIGHT result in inflammation (or vice versa) but the dentist should have recognised that. And poor blood flow to neck muscles would cause aches and pains. 

    A sore mouth when on pred can be due to a yeast infection - but I would really expect a dentist to pick that up too. 

    The pain of PMR and GCA can vary - especially if it is in a flare and you are on some pred, enough to manage some inflammation but not all of it.

    Time to ask your doctor I think.

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