What should have been a routine trip to the dentist, turned out to be so much more. I have written journals about my on-going problems around cerebral palsy, including reflux which I have had since the age of 28, brought about by being premature, a twin and so I'm told, child birth.
Right now, I have gastro-oesophageal reflux, which affects the muscle connecting the oesophagus to the stomach. When the oesophageal sphincter is weak, it allows food and stomach acid to flow back up into the oesophagus. In someone with normal digestion, food passes into the stomach and then the stomach prevents the acid from passing back into the oesophagus.
There are many reasons why we would have this, but for me it’s a combination of everything that I deal with. I tend to ask questions about my oral health whilst I'm in the dentist's chair and although the questions aren't anything a dentist should get cross with.
Instead, they seem to think that if you are asking questions, they're either not doing their job properly, or you have a problem with something they're doing or something they've said.
Can't it be that I just want to know, so I know what I'm dealing with. Because I have struggled for so many years, it's important I know and have that information to hand. It's how I have to roll.
I have always had dental health problems and I follow all of the dental hygiene protocols. It's embarrassing when I go to the dentist and my teeth are falling apart, it's as if they are judging me for my dental care.
I have suffered from acid reflux my whole life and am glad to hear that it may be the answer to my concerns. I'll be off to the dental clinic next week for yet another round of dental work to repair them, wish me luck!
Good luck Brian! Don't be embarrassed about your reflux problems, it's not your fault. As far as I am concerned, you have nothing to be embarrassed about.
I have horrible teeth and will probably end up with partials before its all over with. Diabetics tend to have dental problems too because of low acidity in the mouth (something like that anyway).
I also drank diet cokes like crazy for years and I'm sure that contributed. I understand your frustration with the dentist. I'm on my third one and so far he's been pretty good and honest.
I agree with you Lisa, there are good and bad dentists. You are right about coke, coke it can be a contributing factor to dental health care problems, but the problem with your diabetes will also add.
Glad you have found someone you can rely on to help you with your dental care.