Sedation and Tooth Work

Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sedation and Tooth Work
4
Fri, 09-26-2008 - 4:11pm

I am having lots of problems with a tooth and the way it feels and the way the dentist sees it (as it isn't seen in an x-ray) is that I might need a root canal. I feel that the filling is hitting a nerve and I am getting a lot of pain and pain down the arm because it is hitting a nerve. Sometimes it goes away, but I still kind of feel it. However, the only way for me to go through it is sedation as I have terrible phobias. Has anyone had sedation for teeth work with diabetes? Does it work okay? I am worried that my numbers will go down too much and I won't be able to eat afterwards and I probably can't eat before hand. And do you think sedation with a root canal is okay? I know it is rare, but I am terrified and will probably push dentist away doing a root canal. My numbers are pretty good. They rarely go over 140 and I don't take pills or insulin at this point. They go down slowly right now. Maybe I could test as soon as I wake up and drink a little sugar soda or something if I am low. What do you think?

Thanks for your help. Debbie

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 09-27-2008 - 1:33am

Debbie,


I don't think that sedation for a dental procedure will bother your blood sugar readings. But there are somethings that will help you. First the dentist needs to know that you are diabetic. Because it is only sedation and not a general anesthetic most likely you will be able to eat your breakfast just like normal. What you do need is to have the procedure done as close to the time that you eat your breakfast as possible. You don't want to drink a sugared drink because your blood sugar will just rise and then plummet. You can always take something with you like a glucerna drink or a carton of yougart to drink/eat if your blood sugar gets too low.


Dentists are used to dealing with diabetic patients and so s/he should be able to meet your needs nicely.


Good luck and let us know how you are. I know your tooth has been bothering you for a while and it will be a relief to have it taken care of.




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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2007
Sat, 09-27-2008 - 10:22pm

I have, I was completely knocked out while my dentist exposed two impacted teeth. I could eat anything after midnight the night before. I was scheduled first thing in the morning (8am, I think), and I had my nighttime snack at about 11:30pm. I took a little less Lantus than normal, and just didn't take my morning insulin since I couldn't eat anything. I think afterwords I was a little high (lol, gotta love the lingo), which was nice because I didn't want to eat at all.

What I found to be trickier was the week or so after I had it done. I was in a lot of pain, and sometimes I just had to eat (Slimfast doesn't cut it all the time!).






Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 09-27-2008 - 11:07pm

If I were you I would have held both my short acting and long acting insulin. I am aware that my blood sugar would be high but that is better than too low. I am only on long acting insulin and I know that it takes two hours before the Lantus reaches it peak.


I suggest that you bring in soft foods before you have the surgery. Have you seen the new sugar free jello puddings? You mix them with fat free milk and after five minutes they thicken. It taste good also and only have 7 grams of carbs.




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Avatar for stephsmom98
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sun, 09-28-2008 - 12:57am

Thanks everyone for your help. I am not on insulin or pills. Right now it is by diet alone. When I set this up, I will tell the doctor. I am waiting right now and am not sure that is the right thing to do. I was at the dentist a month ago and they saw no problem but said there could be a break in the tooth under the filling, but he wasn't sure. It doesn't hurt all the time right now and I don't have money or insurance. I appreciate the help. I might just have to schedule the appointment and worry about the money later as I don't want problems. Thanks again. It is good to know I can be sedated.


Debbie

Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie
Debbie, Mom to my "only" Stephanie