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Avatar universal

To brush or not to brush?

So, I have this pain in my teeth on the right bottom side. This is exactly how my first TN attack started. I was eating a lot of sugary stuff and decided to brush my teeth hoping that the pain would subside. A few hours later, I felt like somebody was sticking a dagger in the side of my head and then starting a lightning storm.

I have the same pain in my teeth now and have been eating sugary stuff. Should I brush now?
Best Answer
1312898 tn?1314568133
I would try rinsing your mouth out really well. Then maybe using some orajel to keep it at bay.  Don't know if that will work but you might try it.  
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Avatar universal
Hi Victoria,

I wish it were true that brushing wouldn't hurt. Brushing my teeth is what set off my first Trigeminal Neuralgia attack. I have verified that this is common with an E.R. doctor and 2 Neurologists.

With that said, I decided to bite the bullet (tooth brush?) and brushed my teeth this morning since I didn't want to come in to work with Dragon Breath. All is well now :)

Orajel was a great suggestion, I will try that in the future.

If you're still concerned about possibly having Trigeminal Neuralgia, here are some early warning signs.

Frequent "tooth headaches" as I call them. These feel just like strong headaches, sometimes like migraines, but are centered in the nerve root of the tooth. Walking, jogging, and running make it worse.

Frequent unexplained dental pain (such as the non-existant cavity you mentioned). Unfortunately pulling the tooth doesn't help, and can actually make TN worse due to possible nerve exposure.

Thanks,

Kenny
Helpful - 0
1386233 tn?1279931493
Hi Ken.

My cousin is a dentist and her mom has MS (my aunt).  I have been coming to her with every question and concern I have and you guys here.

Brushing wouldn't hurt, but it may not help.  Have you tried orajel or something of the same, it may not help, but it's worth a try.

I have been to the dentist over a half a dozen times last year for what I thought was a cavity in my upper left side, like my wisdom tooth or something back there, and every time she said it wasn't a cavity.  I kept telling her it hurt like hell and just pull it, but my insurance wouldn't cover it unless it was really a cavity.  Apparently that dentist couldn't fib just a little for me, even though she knew I was clearly in pain.

Looking back at it now and being on the long road to dx whatever it is I have, I am 100% certain that is is this is what was going on.

Good luck.

Victoria
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