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Teeth problems w/ TN

Posted , 5 users are following.

Madison17
Madison17

Hi, I was just ordering if anyone else has teeth problems when you have a flare up of TN . After a bad flare up my mouth swells up on the side affected and I can’t chew anything hard and my bite seems to feel uneven where one side of my jaw is lopsided, and the teeth on the one side are touching but on the side I don’t have pain my teeth won’t touch, it’s very uncomfortable and even after the flare up is gone I have to sleep with a mouth guard so my teeth don’t clench during the night. Does anyone have this or know what it is? Why this happens? 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • janna1981
    janna1981 Madison17

    Posted

    I love that you asked this, cause this is what I'm living right now. I also use a mouth guard at night to try and bring the swelling down.....brush my teeth with hot water (when I dare to brush them). Feels good on the swollen gums.

    I find my teeth super sensitive too, like almost as if the tooth itself is swelling. This is the scary thing because if I accidentally chew or bite, or even swallow wrong the pressure of my tongue sets off every nerve in my face.

    I was trying to use Sensodyne, but I found it hurt too much.

    • anyazora
      anyazora janna1981

      Posted

      I think I’m like the only person with TN that feels relief when I chew. It’s the weirdest thing bc I know that’s what sets most people off. But I can’t talk.... 

      So I have no idea why/what/how that works.

  • anyazora
    anyazora Madison17

    Posted

    Yes! I am noticing that and I realized the muscles by my jawbone are super sore. I think it’s because I’m clenching my mouth so hard all the time bc of the pain. I’m actually going to ask my dentist about it tomorrow. I’ll let you know if I find out anything.
  • michael64483
    michael64483 Madison17

    Posted

    There are 3 branches to TN. Those with problems in Mandibular branch (ME) usually have jaw swelling on one side & symptons like you explain. The stress from pain shooting thru the jaw & into the lips and/or tongue causes all these areas to swell. I have had 4 surgeries since 2002 & now take 200 mg x 3 daily of Tegretol forever. When I see trouble coming I also take 600 mg x 3 daily of Gabapentin. The newest "tool" I use is when pain 1st starts I put a Fentanyl Pain Patch on the same arm as the side of the face having pain. I use 50mcg/hr Pain Patches of Fentanyl, each of which lasts 72 hrs. I have never used more than 3 pain patches in a row, which covers 9 days. The Pain Patches have worked every single time in getting my TN into remission. They may be difficult to talk your Doctor into as no current research shows that they work. So show them patients info like mine

    • anyazora
      anyazora michael64483

      Posted

      They gave me fentanyl when I went into the hospital with horrid pain by IV. It didn’t do anything. Do you think the patch is different bc you say you put it on the side where your pain is?
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