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Breathlessness at the dentist
With pulmonary fibrosis, there are some obvious physical symptoms of this disease, such as shortness of breath, consistent cough, and fatigue. However, there are many less obvious symptoms as well. These less obvious symptoms can lead to difficulty with day-to-day tasks or regular appointments. Earlier this week I had a dentist appointment and I wondered if anyone else in our forum community struggled with going to the dentist. More specifically, I struggle with the breathlessness that ensues when being laid back in a dental chair for cleaning.
In 2022, I wrote a bit more about this in a column called: How Pulmonary Fibrosis Complicates Simple Appointments and Everyday Tasks
If you’ve struggled with going to the dentist since your diagnosis of IPF, please share any tips/strategies you’ve discovered that make it easier to manage. I’d love to hear from you!
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5 Replies
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IF your Breathlessness was lack of oxygen you can take a portable and use it without interfering with the Dentist or Hygienist. If you don’t have a portable, most dental offices have oxygen on hand. My son is a dentist and I have spoken with him about this. If your problem was due to anxiety you should have breathing techniques to help you through. In any case tell your Dentist or Hygienist what your particular situation is so that they can work with you and help you. If it is a problem for them it might be time to see someone else.
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I, too, took a portable unit with me recently. It worked just fine. I also utilized a wheel chair for the visit. My new young dentist also assisted in rolling out me out to the car. He is a (keeper!)
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I take the portable and I cannot do the water shooting in, makes me gag so they put it on half and they hand scale mostly. Also I do get really anxious in the dentists chair so I don’t let them put me all the way back like they would like to. Sorry for them but I am paying for the service and they know my issues. I do take a .25 of Xanax a hour before I go. Seems to help just enough.
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I haven’t been to the dentist’s for ages but am planning to go soon. I m not on oxygen yet but I am a little apprehensive because I start to cough if I lean back in a char or in bed.
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I have problems with coughing. My steroid inhaler generally works pretty well but an open mouth means air reaches exposed nerves and triggers coughing. My dentist keeps me at the office for a longer time and works on my mouth in short intervals. She sees other patients when I am having breaks. I end up spending a morning at the dentist rather than half an hour but the dental work gets done.
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