Receding gum lines

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valeriedl

valeriedl

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A few months ago my teeth started hurting really bad, especially when I brushed them. I thought I had cavities but when I went to the dentist I found out that it was receding gum lines. He put in fillings and since he did that I've been fine.

I think he said that one of the meds I'm on can cause them but I don't remember which one (imagine that). I keep forgetting to tell my neuro because I forget to put it on my list of questions that I take with me to my visits.

Do you think I should ask about being taking off of that med or wait and see what the neuro says? I've messed around with meds so bad over the years that I really don't want to start the whole deal all over again. But I don't want my teeth to end up falling out either.
 
Receding gum lines is one of the major side-effects of Dilantin/Phenytoin.

My gums receded & bled a lot when I was on it a long time ago.
 
I decided to switch from Dilantin when it started affecting my teeth and gums. I don't have dental insurance, so I didn't want to have gum surgery in my future...
 
Gingival hyperplasia (gum overgrowth) was one of the reasons I was taken off Dilantin about 15ish years ago. The other 2 reasons were that it was thought to be affecting my hippocampus, and it wasn't controlling my partial seizures very well at all. My gums have recovered from that, fortunately!
 
Dilantin affected my teeth and gums and I ended wearing braces thanks to Dilantin.
 
I'm not on dilantian, I'm allergic to it. So I know that can't be whats causing it.
 
I've had some dental issues recently, too. I'm currently on lamotrigine, phenobarb, and dilation, but was specifically warned about the dilantin. :bigmouth: As silly as it sounds, the decision to have brain surgery, both times, was a whole lot easier than picking up the phone to schedule my appointment!

I finally put on my 'big girl panties' and I'm nearly done, after a very deep, thorough cleaning to help restore my gums to a healthy state, and a few fillings. Ugh, I'm such a dentist weeny. :roflmao:
 
Interesting. Very interesting. I have been on tegretol for quite some time now (well was on tegretol many years before they went to save a buck and switch me to carbamazepine) and my teeth as well have been rapidly getting worse for many years... but they really went downhill via gums and pain when I switched clobazam to vimpat. Prior to tegretol I also was on dilantin... hmmm... I am wondering here just how much seizure drugs in general (?) may damage ones gums...
 
Just an FYI, I use an electric toothbrush. Many years ago a dentist told me to switch because I was brushing too hard. (you aren't cleaning the toilet) It has helped me tremendously. I also got a cordless waterpic. Went to the dentist 2 mts. ago and he was surprised how well my gums and teeth were.
M
 
Dilantin is my drug of choice as it controls my seizures. But it does cause gum problems and I had to have surgery because of gum overgrowth. That was 30+ years ago - I never needed it again. My gums also bled a lot but, like Marika, I switched to an electric toothbrush on my dentist's advice. My gums have been fine ever since so I highly suggest using one.
 
I had major issues with that darn Dilantin but not having insurance at the time it was the only one I could afford that he wanted to mention. This was before I started looking at other things besides drugs.
Try eating more celery, rhubarb or bok choy. (A lighter tasting version of celery) The sodium content is the same % as bones are made of. Not to mention they look like bones (cut one open and examine the while areas inside that look kind of like marrow does.) More than a coincidence as far as I'm concerned. I did this for just over a week after I was told my back spasms and intense pain & "lock up" when I moved in the wrong way was caused by a bulging disk & was told by people; "OH QUICK! YOU GOTTA' HAVE SURGERY ON THAT! QUICK!" Well, ONE stick a day for just over a week & I can move in ways I haven't in moths before. 2 years later, I'm still fine again. It no doubt will help with your teeth too.
 
yep mine receded and 5 teeth taken out,bleeding E and medication cost me 500quid for a plate i can get no finacial help even tho e is cause.not win
 
I was on Tegretol for a long time, and in that span I developed 4 cavities as well as painful gums. Since being on Lamictal, it has been less painful, but still present. I feel for you <3
 
I had a root canal a little over a year ago and I noticed that the tooth is starting to hurt again.

I just got a new VNS and it started to hurt the day after the surgery. I don't know if that could have something to do with it hurting? The pain seems to get worse when the VNS goes off.

I think you can get problems again in the tooth that you had the root canal in and possibly have to get another one. Hope I don't have to go through that again.
 
Ouch! I have some residual effects of gum loss from dilantin years ago. The loss never went away and i say it is wise to be aware of such effects and ask around about how and why it is happening. some meds do it. I actually asked my doctors many times before if i could be given one of the meds that make the gums overgrow just to get back what i lost and they said they could not perscribe just for that and most of the time those are antipsychotic drugs and i do not have that problem. UGGGHHH! dambed if you do; and dambed if you do!
 
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