Had a filling today at the dentist's - now worried about the local anesthetic

[Athena]

Okay, I now realise why people with kidney disease are a bit worried about dental procedures. I looked up the risks and hazards AFTER I had a small filling today and now realise that the local anaesthetic, articane, needs to be excreted by both the liver and kidneys . Poor kidneys - they've just had another threat to their peace of mind (so to speak)!

Although there is a tiny bit of redness at the line of the gum where the filling starts, I think there is no infection risk. I did feel a bit tired and irritated today. When the local anaesthetic was injected I started feeling like my heart was racing a bit and I was on edge. I reported this to the dentist and he said that it's perfectly normal, it's just the effect of the adrenaline that is contained in the anesthetic!

But I am now a bit mad that small everyday things like going to a dentist can suddenly turn into another potential existential attack on my poor kidneys. CKD is making me feel like I need to live in a plastic bubble sometimes.

Just venting a little.

I have an appointment with a hygienist in 2 weeks time. Will I be safe with this visit? Since the essence of her work will be to clean the teeth, I shouldn't need to worry about this, right?

Otherwise my teeth have been given a clean bill of health. I am grateful for that.

[iolaire]

I spoke over dental work with my nephrologist and he gave me a prescription for an antibiotic to take around that time.  The fear I've heard of is that the dental work stirs up all kinds of nasty stuff in your mouth and you don't want it to get into the blood and cause an infection.

[Simon Dog]

I spoke over dental work with my nephrologist and he gave me a prescription for an antibiotic to take around that time.  The fear I've heard of is that the dental work stirs up all kinds of nasty stuff in your mouth and you don't want it to get into the blood and cause an infection.

Probably amoxycillin 500mg x 4 1 hour pre appointment.

I would get that even without renal issues (hip replacement)

[Charlie B53]

I get them also since my heart by-pass.  Something about possible bacterial infection of the heart valves.


I never knew adrenaline was mixed into the anesthetic.  I always thought it was my intense fear of the Dentist, needles, the drill, etc., that made me al sweaty and had my heart pounding.    EVERY time!

I seriously try to stay out of that place!

[PrimeTimer]

This reminds me, my husband is overdue for a cleaning. I don't really get on him about it tho. I myself am overdue for a cleaning.    Guess when the time comes I will have him ask his Neph for some anti-biotics. He doesn't need to get sepsis again. 

[Athena]

Well today is the day after & I am battling constant HIGH BLOOD SUGARS inspite of taking high insulin doses to bring it down. I have no doubt that it is the anaesthetic! I still feel tired & cranky today.

[Athena]

This reminds me, my husband is overdue for a cleaning. I don't really get on him about it tho. I myself am overdue for a cleaning.    Guess when the time comes I will have him ask his Neph for some anti-biotics. He doesn't need to get sepsis again.

PT, so did your husband get sepsis in the past from just dental cleaning? I know from past experience that a clean actually hurts a little and a little bit of blood can be seen on the gums (just like after a too vigorous flossing on my part). Can just that little bit of bleeding in the dentists office set off a massive meltdown of some kind in a kidney patient?

[PrimeTimer]

This reminds me, my husband is overdue for a cleaning. I don't really get on him about it tho. I myself am overdue for a cleaning.    Guess when the time comes I will have him ask his Neph for some antibiotics. He doesn't need to get sepsis again.

PT, so did your husband get sepsis in the past from just dental cleaning? I know from past experience that a clean actually hurts a little and a little bit of blood can be seen on the gums (just like after a too vigorous flossing on my part). Can just that little bit of bleeding in the dentists office set off a massive meltdown of some kind in a kidney patient?

No, my husband didn't get sepsis from a dental cleaning. He got it from an infection in his fistula. Since bacteria loves warm, moist places and could enter the bloodstream during a dental cleaning or dental work, I think that is why antibiotics are suggested. They call that "prophylaxis".

[Athena]

Just by way of an update, I seem to have reverted back to normal today in terms of blood sugar levels and also my mental sense of wellbeing. So whatever the body was reacting to seems to have passed. I sure won't be so carefree and unquestioning when I next go see a dentist!

I will call to find out what exactly will be involved in the upcoming visit with the hygienist. I am reluctant to take any antibiotic as a prophylaxis measure though as my body seems to react pretty badly with antibiotics as well.

Did anyone thing my analogy of living in a plastic bubble was apt?

[Athena]

I get them also since my heart by-pass.  Something about possible bacterial infection of the heart valves.


I never knew adrenaline was mixed into the anesthetic.  I always thought it was my intense fear of the Dentist, needles, the drill, etc., that made me al sweaty and had my heart pounding.    EVERY time!

I seriously try to stay out of that place!

Charlies, I have discovered that it was a drug called lidocaine (or lignocaine). They do mix a bit of epinephrine in it for dental work. Here is a link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lidocaine.