Re: The impact of dental work on my BG

[Guest guest]

Debra,

About a year and a half ago, I got into a very bad situation with a

broken tooth I didn't attend to which then became infected which led

to 2 root canals on the same tooth(because the first one became re-

infected) and serious problems with the resulting crown.

That said .. yes it did affect my bgs. It was a given that the

infection and re-infection would. That sent them up.

The root canal itself affected them because of all the

mental/emotional stress surrounding it (not to mention the bills).

The root canal sent them plummeting when I was having it done. This

is all very much a YMMV situation as you may respond very differently.

My biggest problem with the root canal was being left in the chair

and having an appt. that I thought would be 2 hours stretch into 3 or

4 because of how the dentist scheduled his patients and not because I

had any complicating problems. They did know I was diabetic.

I ate for a 2 hour procedure. When it went past the 2 hours, I began

to experience feelings of being low. Eventually had to stop the

dental work and tell them I needed to eat something as I was woozy

and shaky etc. I have an usual situation in that emotional type

stress (like serious dental procedures) will drain glucose out of me

(it seems like) .. so this was a big issue to me .. because I

couldn't eat for hours after the procedure etc so there was no way to

tough it out and then address it quickly.

My advice would be just to eat well enough before the procedure to

carry you through to the other side.

I have had one other root canal years ago. I didn't find that the

root canal itself hurt either time as much as having all the metal

contraptions placed in my mouth to hold it open. Take chapstick or

something like that.

Suzz, t2, d & e only, dx1997

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>

> I have been a diet and exercised controlled diabetic for 7 months

> now. I was diagnosed in 7/2003. Last week I found out I might need

> root canal. I have never had that done. Is it painful? Could it

> raise my BG? In addition my dentist wants me to consider getting a

> couple of dental implants that would require dental surgery. Is

that

> something that could raise my BG? Any and all info would be

greatly

> appreciated.

..

>

> Regards,

>

> Debra

[Guest guest]

Hi Debra and welcome to the list.

I have had root canals and my bgs were fine. This in spite of the fact

that I am still somewhat dentist phobic and was uncomfortable sitting in

the dental chair for two hours.

When you walk in, tell the dentist you are somewhat apprehensive and you

absolutely do not want to feel any pain. They will numb you to a

fare-the-well.

There is also a possibility you might go low, so bring something to

drink and a straw - just in case.

I don't know about implants, never had any. See how the root canal goes

for you, and that should give you an idea.

Good luck!

Helen

[Guest guest]

Thanks everybody for the info on the dental work.

Like most people on this planet I don't find any

dental work particularly appealing..............still

I may need it, so thank you. By the way how expensive

is root canal work?

Regards,

Debra

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[Guest guest]

Also, ask your dentist to use a 'Bite Block'. That is a chunk of hard

rubber (or plastic) that he will put on the opposite side of the mouth

and have you bite down on. Holding your mouth open for an hour or so

while he works in the mouth is hard work for you and your jaw, both of

you will be very tired and sore. I request the bite block every time

my dentist has to work in my mouth, including teeth cleaning.

>

> When you walk in, tell the dentist you are somewhat apprehensive and

> you

> absolutely do not want to feel any pain. They will numb you to a

> fare-the-well.

>

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Maurer

Type II diabetic since 4/87

(diet, exercise, & meds)

Insulin dependent Type II since 9/04

(diet, exercise, Lantus, Humalog, & Metformin XR)

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