Comments | wldhrsjen3: in which I have a panic attack and discover that I've been using the wrong toothpaste for 30 years

wldhrsjen3

in which I have a panic attack and discover that I've been using the wrong toothpaste for 30 years

Apr 08, 2014 08:40

My scarcity this go-round has, for once, nothing to do with connectivity issues. (We think - at last, again - we have most of them solved. Other than the fact that bad weather will still wreak havoc with our satellite signal, but that can't be helped.) No, this time it's because I've spent the last five-six weeks in miserable mouth pain.

( cut for boring personal details )

Comments 31

penella22 April 8 2014, 21:59:29 UTC

Oh honey!!! :( So awful! I have a weird metabolism too, and I so WISH DOCTORS WOULD LISTEN!!! Who WOULDN'T have a panic attack going through something like that??? hugs, and more ( ... )

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 13:09:57 UTC

YES! It's so frustrating... like, do they think we're just making it up? :S

I did find Tom's at my pharmacy... it doesn't burn, thank goodness, but YIKES the mint is strong! LOL I've ordered a couple other brands to try, and now I'm anxious to find something that will work. And YES - I hope this will solve the issues so I can avoid anything like that again! :X

spirithorse21 April 9 2014, 02:41:08 UTC

Oh my goodness! I would be ready to flip out on the dentist after such an experience! I have a strong fear of dentists anyway, I would have lost it if that had happened to me.

This whole thing makes me wonder...I don't have a strong burning sensation to all toothpastes, but I do to some. I can't use whiteners at all, and back when I was young enough for those 6 month fluoride treatments, they would burn like hell...as do many mouthwashes! Not to mention the anxiety i would have over trying not to swallow it! Hmmmm...

I do like act mouthwash, but I'm pretty sure that still has fluoride. I have seen loads of recipes to make your own toothpaste. A friend does it and is very happy with the results.

So glad you know now and can heal up!

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 13:06:48 UTC

I do wonder how many people are sensitive to it and just don't know... My dentist was saying that usually the dosage is so low it isn't enough to trigger a reaction, but once you become reactive, it's hard to avoid it because it's in so many oral care products. (I was using Act just because it's supposed to be mild, but it does have fluoride and I guess the level was enough to trigger me.)

I just printed off three recipes for homemade toothpaste! I might experiment this weekend. :)

HUGS raithen April 9 2014, 05:08:15 UTC

Oh HONEY! MASSIVE HUGS

First of all there are TONNES of non fluoridated toothpastes. Walgreens carries some you can order, I think. If you have problems, ping me, and I can mail you some :).

On a related note, I have a much less painful story about not realizing that burning was not "normal." I spent the summer I was 20 working as a wrangler at a therapeutic riding camp. One day, after tacking 10 horses, leading a multi-hour trail ride in the heat, and untacking all the horses, I leaned up against a sweaty horse for a little breather. I BOUNCED off the horse, because my back burned with the contact to the horse sweat (I was in a tank top). The other wrangler happened to see me, and said "what?!" I said "oh, I just forgot that the horse was sweaty and that my back was bare, so the sweat burned." that was when I learned that normal people (who aren't allergic to horses)don't get burned by horse sweat!

Also,back to the dental- have you considered getting a waterpik. I was given one for Christmas and I LOVE it.

Re: HUGS raithen April 9 2014, 05:17:57 UTC

And actually, if your mouth has been burning, try for a non-strong option. Nature's Gate makes a gentle fennel flavored toothpaste that might help calm your mouth.

And salt is another good option if baking soda is a bit strong. I forgot my toothpaste this week (travelling for work) and I am using salt and baking soda(which I have for my neti system), and it's great.

Re: HUGS wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 12:59:20 UTC

I am so glad you mentioned that - I just ordered a tube of NG fennel toothpaste but I wasn't sure how it would work. Now I'm looking forward to trying it!

I would try salt but my gums are still so tender... I'm afraid it would irritate the tissues too much just now. :S

Re: HUGS wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 13:02:33 UTC

Thanks so much - you are a sweetheart. I did find a couple online - Nature's Gate, another one I can't remember, and Jason's berry flavored kids' version. And I found a Tom's fluoride free one at my pharmacy, but it's VERY minty and it's too strong for me. Better than what I was using, at least, but yikes. :P I'm looking forward to trying some new ones!

Also, I had no idea you were allergic to horses!

(My BIL has bad gums and he was raving about a waterpik. I might have to try one, because I NEVER want to go through this again. :X)

kerlin April 9 2014, 11:24:04 UTC

AAAAHHHHH. That is also pretty much my worst nighmare. I have horrible teeth/gums too, an had scaling done a few years ago. It was awful. And because of terrible dentist experiences as a child, I refused to set foot in a dentist's office for years and ended up with 16 cavities. And gum surgery and caps. It was expensive and miserable. And I react funny to numbing stuff/anesthesia, too. I would have punched the dentist and left if she'd put me through that. You are far, far, far braver than I.

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 12:56:52 UTC

Oh, no! I'm so sorry - and I totally sympathize. (The funniest thing, to me, was the fact that when I checked in I had to fill out this patient survey and one of the questions was, "9a: How do you feel about going to the dentist?" 9b: "If dental work makes you nervous, why?" I SO wanted to grab my paper back afterwards and scribble all over it: BECAUSE THIS SHIT HURTS AND COSTS A FORTUNE but I restrained myself. :P)

And... I don't think it was bravery so much as desperation! :X

Here's hoping neither one of us EVER has to go through planing/scaling again. UGH.

kerlin April 9 2014, 13:11:00 UTC

Now that I think of it, my mouth burns horribly from mouthwash too, but it's the alcohol. And it fades almost immediately after I spit it out. My previous dentist recommended this mouthwash, which is non-flouride and non-alcohol and I actually grew to quite like: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J3VK9SA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3OTZ13MP43BRQ&coliid=IZFP5XUB58BGK&psc=1 It looks like they make a flouride free toothpaste, too.

Dentists are the absolute WORST. I still have such clear memories of my first bad interaction with novocaine - I had to get 7 teeth pulled to make way for braces, which I wore for 7 years - of sobbing while the dentist jabbed away, singing along with "Seasons in the Sun." I was 9 or 10.

I still can't chew normally on the left side of my mouth, where the caps are, and it's been 2 years. :( It's slowly, slowly getting better but ugh.

kerlin April 9 2014, 13:12:13 UTC

PS - he recommended that mouthwash specifically for gum problems after my scaling, and I never used the mint flavoring - just swished plain - because I hate mint.

Thread 5

caitirin April 9 2014, 14:42:55 UTC

OW OW OW, that sounds horrible. I am so sorry!!!

wldhrsjen3 April 9 2014, 21:24:39 UTC

It was terrible, but the good thing is now that I know what was irritating my gums, maybe I can avoid ever having to do it again!!! I've used the fluoride-free stuff twice now and my mouth feels SO MUCH BETTER. The mint flavor is too strong so I'm looking forward to experimenting with different brands, but I can't believe what a difference I feel in such a short time.

Weird, huh? :P