Mouth Pain

BarbH
0 Recommendations

Can anyone tell me if you or your loved one that has the diagnosis of ALS ever experiences mouth pain? What I mean by mouth pain is, my husband has had ALS for 14 years and for the last several months he has experienced pain in two teeth that have been filled. These teeth are clear in the back on each side. One dentist says it is from grinding the teeth another disagrees. They are suggesting a mouth guard for night, but also advise they would really give it some serious thought before doing so, because if it would come lose in his mouth, he could choke on it. That scares me silly. So can anyone tell me if they have experienced pain like this. The dentist has found no cavities or anything obvious to cause this pain. He ask we chcek with our local doctor and see if he feels there is anything else that could be causing this pain. Let me know what ya think. Thanks.

10 replies

SheilaT
  • By SheilaT
  • Posted October 12, 2007 at 9:55 am

Barb, I have never heard of a toothache being associated with ALS. I have heard of bite guards being used by dentists when there is a problem with temporomandibular joints (TMJ, jaw joint, teeth gringing ) and I have heard some talk about the black dental fillings containing mercury. He does have the option of having those two teeth removed, they're in the back of the mouth anyway...

contkins
  • By contkins
  • Posted October 12, 2007 at 12:17 pm

Hi Barb, I've had ALS for less than 2 years but I've had the teeth grinding for over 20. I've also noticed pain when my sinuses are acting up or if I have been crying. It even sometimes gives me an ear ache.

The TMJ bite splint Shelia mentioned is made to fit tightly over the entire top set of teeth. The one I had many years ago was a clear hard plastc that fit tightly and required a pulling action on both sides of it to get it off. It worked great. But it has to be made by a dentist and requires a mold of the teeth.

A few years ago, when my grinding got bad again, the dentist said to use a child size, moldable sports mouthguard. They do not stay tight and I chewed through one. I also tried the Night Doctor (over the counter). It does not stay tight either, but is better than the sports guards. I kept using them though because I broke both a crown and a natural molar with the grinding and jaw clenching. Grinding definately can cause pain in the teeth!

Recently I have begun dental work to have a palatal lift made. I am getting it to help my swallowing, breathing & speech. I can take it off when I want, but it definate will not "fall out" because it has wire attachments around 4 teeth. I now even wear it when using the bi-pap at night I was afraid to do this at first because I thought if it came off, I would choke before I got the mask off. But I have been wearing it at night for about a month now and my teeth are glad!!!!! :)

I've read a lot about mercury fillings and I am having them removed as long as they are in my mouth to repair the teeth & crowns.. And for peace of mind if nothing else.

My brother does not have ALS, but he had constant tooth pain and when he finally found a dentist who would remove it, he was told the tooth root had been up against a nerve. He's been fine since.

I've found local doctors & dentists hesitant to deal with anything. If your ALS clinic is affiliated with a dental practice, I would recommend checking there. I use the dental clinic at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It has been excellent care. They are very patient with my over active gag, and swallow/jaw closing reflexes, They tell me everything they are doing and wait when I have to write my comments to communicate. My neurologist is also at OSU so they can consult if necessary. It's worth the 2 hour drive it takes to get there..

Hope something here has been helpful.
Connie

BarbH
  • By BarbH
  • Posted October 12, 2007 at 9:51 pm

Yes they are back teeth, but if they are extracted then all of the bite pressure will just move forward to the next and so forth, not preventing it to result in a mouth free of pain, just moving onto the next teeth. This is being caused the dentist beleives from grinding of the teeth and muscle loss that creates the teeth the rest firmly together. Thanks for your input. God bless.

BarbH
  • By BarbH
  • Posted October 12, 2007 at 9:59 pm

Wow you and my husband go to the same clinic. Maybe some day we will run into one another. Do you attend the ALS clinic or the MDA/ALS clinic? We see Dr. Kissel. We love him. We have visited the dental facility there, but my husband was very hesitant at the time to the night guard until it was time for our appointment to be over and then they didn't have time to work on the night guard. Since then we have went to a local dentist for a second opinion. We are still taking into consideration the night guard, but haven't fully decided yet. We are afraid of him choking for he is unable to speak and the only way he can get my attention from bed at night is to kick his side rail. So may I ask which floor you go to at the dental clinic and which doc you work with? I would appreciate the input. If you'd like to email me privately that would be fine. My address is bandghuston@msn.com. I thank you very much for all of you advice and your personal knowledge in this adventure of ALS. We are in year 14 you are in our prayers. Let go and let God.
Barb

SheilaT
  • By SheilaT
  • Posted October 13, 2007 at 12:32 am

you're welcome, I do hope he finds a solution..

Maddy_OH
  • By Maddy_OH
  • Posted October 13, 2007 at 1:33 pm

Barb
I was dx in 10/05..2-3 years prior I was finally dx with TMJ..I still wear my night guard...I thought I had something wrong with a back molar also...after a root canal and finally begging the dentist to pull it...no relief....my jaw and tooth hurt so bad I was desparate....I went to another dentist after all this and he said right away TMJ...I dont know where I would be to this day without the guard. With the weakening of jaw muscles and facial muscle the TMJ is worse. I agree that it fits tightly and I have never worried about choking on it. I think choking on my tongue would happen easier than choking on the guard. I have been trying to find a lower mouth guard to keep my cheeks and tongue from getting in the way to no avail. Those boil guards and such were a waste for me. There is another guard i'm looking into online called sleep right splintek mouth guard that may work for him. Just do a search..alsosold on ebay..but pricey....my mouth guard was 300.00 years ago and dental insurance wont cover it. Do not have him go hru pulling fillings and teeth....get the guard from the dentist if you can swing it. I still go for 6 months check up and cleanings and any adjustments that need to be made are done right then on the guard....I also take naprosyn 2x a day which helps. If I can help...let me know!
Maddy

BarbH
  • By BarbH
  • Posted October 13, 2007 at 7:31 pm

I thank you so much for your kind response. My husband has decided this is the root he is gonna take. We will be contacting OSU soon to have it done. For he can not bare the pain. I tell you I am so tierd of Doctors, nurses and dentist saying it is all part of ALS cause you know as well as I do, they have no idea about ALS.
We live fifty=five miles from OSU and it isn't a bad trip at all. My husband is on the ohio waiver program and they will even transport him, which is a bit of a releif to me to just ride along and help him, instead of driving and caring for him all in one.
May I ask where you are located? Do you doctor /dentis at OSU also? THey were really friendly there to us. My husband was just uncooperative that day until it was apt. time over. Then they didn't have time. So we will return soon hopefully.
Again thank you and I have you in my prayers with you ALS dx. God bless.
Barb

pjf
  • By pjf
  • Posted October 14, 2007 at 4:11 pm

What is the Ohio waiver for transportation?
Does anyone know if something similar is available in Florida? Many thanks,

BarbH
  • By BarbH
  • Posted October 15, 2007 at 9:14 am

I do apologize. Actually what I was speaking of when I said Ohio/Waiver I meant the Medicaid/Medicare program. Medicare I beleive is the paying source there. But as far as the Ohio/Waiver program what that is, is a program that helps alot, with nursing, aide work it is a blessing to us. I hope I was of some help to you. But as far as FL I have no idea. It is a government program.
Barb

Maddy_OH
  • By Maddy_OH
  • Posted October 15, 2007 at 7:30 pm

Barb
I am in between cincinnati and dayton...I have not been to OSU but the neuro I have is at the University of Cincinnati/Aring Neurology and is an MDA neuro. I have an excellent team of doctors/dentist and am very comfortable with them since they advise and then I tell them how I feel. I have heard alot of good things about OSU. Dont feel bad that hubby doesnt make snap decisions...we have to be comfortable or we wont budge!
Good luck and if he has any questions let me know!
Peace be with you both.
Maddy

Add to the discussion

New user? Join here.
Forgot password?
Keep me signed in on this computer until I sign out

Search

Find information and discussion about health topics in 233,723 posts by members like yourself. Learn more...

Join

Join safe, secure groups sponsored by trusted organizations that care about your health. Learn more...

Connect

Connect with 62,181 members and make friends who share your interests, learn about conditions and treatments, find support and more. Learn more...

You