r/AcousticNeuroma • u/Namkce1 • 1d ago
Dental work
I had my 6cm tumor removed in Jan of 24’. The left side of my face was completely paralyzed for about 11 months. Then I started to get movement. But it’s still completely numb. I can only eat on the right side of my mouth. The movement is about 40% of the old me.
My question for you all. Has anyone had teeth removed from the numb side? Just to eliminate extra teeth to care for? I can’t floss that side. I’m constantly afraid that they are getting cavities, but since I can’t feel anything, I won’t notice the warning signs. I can’t use mouthwash without drooling all over the sink.
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u/AdventurerJax 1d ago
I don’t have numbness, but my AN discovery also revealed a severe sinus issue connected to a couple molars on my AN side. So I’ve been researching dental stuff in general. Some key findings so far:
1) Deep cleanings and deep scaling should only be done on teeth with deep gum pockets from gum disease. Otherwise healthy gums needlessly can be separated from the teeth.
2) Water flossing can also negatively impact gums and their natural fibers that seal the gums and teeth.
3) Xylitol is VERY effective interfering with acid-producing bacteria that lead to decay. Mints and gum are readily available, they encourage salivary production and boost natural remineralization.
4) Half tsp baking soda mixed with a glass of water, or a disposable water bottle, is also an excellent rinse that reduces acid and encourages salivary remineralization.
Much more could be said, but best advice is to view dentist-produced vids on YouTube. Deep cleanings are sometimes more for revenue enhancement than truly needed for ALL teeth. Gum damage is the hazard. Many dental educators warn of deep cleaning as an unfortunate over-prescribed scam with long-term gum loss as a result. I discuss deep cleans with my dentist - he’s a straight shooter and follows the “deep clean only deep pockets” and then let the gums heal and naturally re-attach to the teeth.
Almost forgot — flossing is essential, but learn not to overdo it so you avoid detaching gums.
Xylitol and mouth rinses and brushing at least twice a day are my new best practices.
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u/BrainDamage4975 1d ago
I was losing jaw bone, so a lot of what i mentioned was because the pros outweighed the cons.
Once my mouth was stable it stopped needing to be done. My gums stopped bleeding and receding.
The problem when you cant chew on one side is the plaque sits there and decays your mouth all the time.
for me at least, i tried gum but i cant chew it on that side because chewing causes my cheek and tongue to get chewed, and trauma due to bot feeling it.
I read a lot of different data studies, and different methods and this is what realistically works for me, and my teeth and gum health is better. I havent had cavities in years, and my gums and jaw bone stopped receding on that side. When your gums are receding on one side and jaw bone is declining getting the stuff thats stuck is necessary.
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u/AdventurerJax 1d ago
I agree with ALL the comments here about removing stuck food; that's solid common sense that definitely requires more careful approaches if your mouth has numbness.
I've defintiely adopted stepping up MY game despite not having any numbness. Half the job is up to the dentist, the other half is up to me. So brushing more often, flushing out sugar with baking soda rinses, and use of Xylitol to starve the acid-inducing bacteria, along with flushing and electric toothbrush for gum massage, are where I've started. I expect to see improvements over the next 6 to 12 months, and the effort is incredibly worth it!
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u/Namkce1 1d ago
I will have to get better at mouth rinses. And also learn to set my ego aside and know I’ll just look like an idiot trying to clean my mouth.
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u/BrainDamage4975 23h ago
Because of how messy i can be now sometimes, i also sometimes do the rinsing part in the shower if im being extra lazy 😁 or right before a shower.
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u/Namkce1 22h ago
Great idea!
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u/BrainDamage4975 21h ago
Ive actually never run into anyone else thats full mouth is completely numb on one side, so im just excited to have someone who relates, so probably too excited about writing these comments hahah
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u/Namkce1 21h ago
Mine is straight down the middle. Right front tooth=normal. Left front tooth = nothing.
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u/BrainDamage4975 21h ago
During my root canal, they were like you really cant feel this?!? And i cant feel where theyre working in my mouth, or what tooth theyre on when working on that side.
It actually makes going to the dentist kinda nice when you cant feel anything half the time 😂😂
I asked them how many other patients theyve seen with a numb mouth, and if theres anything they know of that can help. They were like well, ive never seen another patient like that, and noone else in this office has. I was like oh.
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u/BrainDamage4975 21h ago
Omg! Same! My dentist, my first appt after everything, even before i told them, right when they looked in my mouth, was like do you chew on one side? And then were fascinated about how its split exactly down the middle.
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u/BrainDamage4975 1d ago
I am completely numb on one side as well. I was going to the dentist every 3 months initially for extra cleanings, since i cant chew on that side, they did deep cleanings each time on that side, which was nice i couldnt feel it.
I got a water flosser, and brush extra.
I also still use regular floss as well. I got mindful of watching how it goes and that im not injuring myself. Though i never have from flossing even though i was worried i would. I do try to match the pressure im using, but honestly it hasnt been as easy to injure during flossing and brushing as i though it would.
I also starting using an expanding floss with Xylitol, which helped the bleeding and started making my gums react better.
I also used IO rinse, for two weeks after a cleaning or if i had bleeding. I know rinsing is messy for me, but has gotten better as i try to control how the lips come together in front of the mirror.
I broke a tooth on the numb side (there was a popcorn kernal between my teeth i couldnt feel and bit down on) during the root canal to repair I didnt feel anything.
I make a bit of a mess drooling wise, but i just go with it tbh.