Did you know that your oral health affect your entire body?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
December 6, 2017 2:07pm CST
I had not been to the dentist for years because my son needed a lot of work and I paid for that. I'm still paying it off 3 years later. But one of my crowns was loose so I called and went in last week. X-rays showed a huge infection around the tooth extending to my sinuses so I got antibiotics and had to go back yesterday.
The entire tooth was dead, the tooth was loose rather than the crown. Yesterday I went back for the work to be started---an extraction and preparing 3 other teeth for the bridge I would need. My dentist said there was a fungal infection in the dead tooth, and probably extended throughout my system. 
Now, I had been feeling pretty awful for months--tired, run down, no energy, even taking a shower wore me out. I thought it was due to my respiratory problems--I quit smoking last year and without the chemicals in the cigarettes my lungs did not function well. 
After 5 days of the antibiotics I'm breathing a bit better and I don't get worn out just taking a shower. I don't feel constantly tired and run down. The dentist had me order special pro-biotics to combat the system wide infection in my body that started with my teeth. He said I had been about 7-10 days from being hospitalized. He's not one that exaggerates, I've been going to him for over 20 years.
So keep up with your dental visits! I remember one time I thought I had a sinus infection and it was an infected tooth. Your dental health greatly impacts your general health. Do anything you need to in order to get your teeth checked at least once a year! 
Now, I had been feeling pretty awful for months--tired, run down, no energy, even taking a shower wore me out. I thought it was due to my respiratory problems--I quit smoking last year and without the chemicals in the cigarettes my lungs did not function well.
After 5 days of the antibiotics I'm breathing a bit better and I don't get worn out just taking a shower. I don't feel constantly tired and run down. The dentist had me order special pro-biotics to combat the system wide infection in my body that started with my teeth. He said I had been about 7-10 days from being hospitalized. He's not one that exaggerates, I've been going to him for over 20 years.
So keep up with your dental visits! I remember one time I thought I had a sinus infection and it was an infected tooth. Your dental health greatly impacts your general health. Do anything you need to in order to get your teeth checked at least once a year! 12 people like this
13 responses
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
6 Dec 17
I can relate immediately @dragon54u . Because I didn't have dental insurance, my health deteriorated. The poison from the bad teeth caused me Endocarditis (heart problem). I could wait no longer or I would have had a heart attack, so I had to have all 10 of my bottom teeth pulled; at once!! It cost me $3200 to have it done. I'm still paying. But at least I didn't die.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Dec 17
I can identify with that, I have no insurance of any kind since I lost my good policy due to the ACA. I knew that oral health can affect general health but didn't realize the extent of it. When my son needed work the infection had spread through his body but I thought that was an exception. Now I know better.
It's awful that we are both in debt because of our teeth (mine cost about that much so far) but I think I would rather pay over time than die of a heart attack. I'm already hypertensive. Are you on medication for your Endocarditis? My doc suspects a heart problem but I can't afford the tests necessary to find out.
So sorry you lost all those teeth! 
It's horrible to be living on a shoestring and not being able to even afford basic health insurance.
It's horrible to be living on a shoestring and not being able to even afford basic health insurance.1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
@nanette64 I have heard that complaint a lot! Water is so essential to our survival that we drink anything that's provided. I smell conspiracies everywhere but especially where water affects our health.
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
7 Dec 17
@dragon54u My heart is okay now that all the poison is gone. No medication. Dentures are a pain in the butt. What gets me is that I had perfect teeth until I moved to Texas. Then I started losing about 1 tooth per year (upper). They were literally rotting from the outside while the roots were fine. I blame it on the water. That's the only thing that was different from living in Nebraska to going to Texas. There are so many chemicals in the water supply that it's ridiculous.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Dec 17
For a long while, I had not gone to the dentist . . . possibly well over 15 years. I was lucky that when I finally went, I only had to do a couple deep cleaning treatments - and amazingly had only one cavity. I did learn that there was a link to teeth/gums and overall health . . . so ever since that deep cleaning session, I have been good about brushing, flossing, and going twice a year . . . in fact I told the dentist to please bug me to make sure I make it in there 
.
.2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Dec 17
You were very fortunate not to have more damage! You must have taken good care of your teeth. I think there is very little more miserable than tooth pain. Surprisingly, I only needed pain meds until this morning, it doesn't hurt that much now, even the place where a tooth was pulled.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Dec 17
@dragon54u With my baby teeth when I was a kid, I did have a miserable time. I had tons of cavities as my parents gave me a lot of apple juice (had no idea it would cause cavities). I had permanent teeth extracted because my mouth was so tiny. And the I went through braces - and extracting wisdom teeth in my 20s. I had my share of pain - so I feel ya! Hope you continue to heal and that everything is feeling better soon!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Dec 17
Oh my, that's pretty drastic! Since the teeth are right under the sinuses it's hard to tell what pain would be, a sinus or tooth infection. I hope your husband's tooth problems were resolved as painlessly as possible--both to his mouth and your wallet!
2 people like this
@sallypup (57858)
• Centralia, Washington
6 Dec 17
@dragon54u Working on it. The dentist would only do an X Ray. Then he said he would have to call in a specialist cause its a wisdom tooth. Possibly cost us 180.00. Hubby says he is not in pain so he is thinking about it.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
@sallypup That sounds pretty cheap to me!! I hope your hubby will go for it. Just because it doesn't hurt doesn't mean it's not hurting you!!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Dec 17
I have no insurance of any kind but if I'd gone last year it probably would have cost me less and I wouldn't feel so crappy. Preventative medicine saves a lot of money, time, and trouble!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325751)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 17
@dragon54u It's true what they say about prevention being better than cure and it's true in all sorts of ways.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Dec 17
It is scary. I'm just so glad the tooth became loose and warned me that there was something there that I should not ignore!
2 people like this
@youless (112108)
• Guangzhou, China
7 Dec 17
Actually lately I just went to see the dentist and fixed my dental problem. I am glad to it anyway as finally my teeth are fine now. I heard doctor often suggest women to fix the dental problems before they get pregnant. So you can see how important good teeth is for us.
1 person likes this
@youless (112108)
• Guangzhou, China
9 Dec 17
@dragon54u And it is also very harmful for the pregnant women. Some will even lead to abortion.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Yes, dental problems can affect our unborn precious babies, too.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
It costs less when we go for checkups twice year!
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Yes, $3K last visit and going for the crowns in about 5 days. I did get a bargain price, my dentist is good like that. Even though he drives an expensive car he gives people great prices. I went to another dentist for a consult and he quoted me twice the price as mine.
Just as an aside, I was curious as to my dentist's homeland since his last name is Bipar. Turns out his initials stand for Ali Akbar. Years ago when I was living out of state he went to Iran, his home country, as he does annually to fix children's teeth. He was arrested and thrown into prison for weeks, suspected of being a spy.
He still does charity work in Iran. He also does it here in the United States.
He always tells me "God Bless You" . He means it. What a wonderful man. Yes, he is expensive but not nearly as much as his colleagues. I hope I can keep up with at least yearly checkups!
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
7 Dec 17
Yep! Bad teeth can cause poison in your system, heart problems and diabetes.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
9 Dec 17
It happened to my son but I never thought it would happen to me. I feel much better after antibiotics and my dentist even told me to order probiotics which, after 3 days on them, have improved my health a lot! Apparently the infection affected my digestive tract, too. It makes sense when you think about it. I'm so grateful to him, he doesn't only treat teeth but the whole person.
@Hannihar (129430)
• Israel
7 Dec 17
Wow, that is pretty scary. I am glad the dentist found the problem and is treating it. When I was growing up I had this dentist that all time I went to see him he told me my teeth were fine. Boy, did I pay for it when I grew up. When I went to dentists again I was told how bad my teeth were and they took care of them and now I have to brush my teeth twice a day and go to the dental hygienist in 6 months and the new doctor on the same day before my dental hygienist appointment.
1 person likes this
@rosegell08 (140)
• Philippines
7 Dec 17
My mom always remind me to take care of my teeth because she is aware of these infections that might happen. So I regularly go to the dentist even if I do not feel hurt and have my regular cleaning and everything but thank you for sharing because if not for my mom, I would not know anything about this. :) Take care!
1 person likes this
@rosegell08 (140)
• Philippines
12 Dec 17
@dragon54u I'm sorry to hear that. Yes, my mom has more teeth than mine now and hers is stronger 
I love her too and I'll take care of her always. Anyway, it is very frustrating to know that the disease that your mom has absolutely nothing to do with her doings, maybe because of second hand smoke or something? Smokers should be more responsible 
I love her too and I'll take care of her always. Anyway, it is very frustrating to know that the disease that your mom has absolutely nothing to do with her doings, maybe because of second hand smoke or something? Smokers should be more responsible 
