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What Causes Sensitivity In Teeth After Using Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray?

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Posted on Thu, 16 Feb 2017
Question: Hello, I have had a two month struggle with sinusits and have been using Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray (generic Flonase) prescribed by a doctor to help reduce inflammation in my sinuses to help them drain. I at first used it off and on for about a month with many other things--a neti pot, steam, warm compresses, Mucinex, etc. to try to get my sinusitis to heal and sinuses to drain. I've had really sticky mucus. I then switched to Sudafed and that seemed to clear my head, but it also dried me out. So I thought I would try the Fluticasone Propionate nasal spray again in earnest and see if it would really work. I've used it just three days (1 spray in each nostril/one time per day, except for one day I used 2 sprays 12 hours apart). Yesterday I noticed some sensitivity in my top front teeth and then tonight after I used the nasal spray again my nose is kind of numb. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. If I stop using the spray, will the feeling in my nose come back? Just FYI, I also took some Mucinex last night before bed to try to loosen the mucus in my head. So would those two drugs interact? I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks, XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No interaction. Some practical advises how to use the steroid spray.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HealthcareMagic to post your health query.
I read carefully your question and I understand your concern.

There is no interaction between the two drugs so they can be used safely together.

Flonase is recommended to be used once/daily so don't use it more then once.

The numbness should go away if you do not use it anymore.

However, in case you decide to use it again, the correct use of steroid nasal sprays should be done with your head pointed slightly downward during spraying and avoid tilting the head back, as this can cause drainage of the medicine from the nose to the throat. Also, you should avoid pointing the spray at the septum, which can become irritated.
The full effect of the medicine is achieved when you use it regularly and for more then 3 weeks.

Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (23 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply. I wanted to ask, if I don't use the Flonase again what do you suggest I try? I'm kind of stumped as to what would help me heal the sinusitis and drain my sinuses. XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (23 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Either one of the nasal steroids are advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for the follow up question.

First thing to try, if you haven't done already, is to determine what is happening that your sinus infection is not healing.
Most of the cases (90%), the sinusitis will heal by itself withing 2 weeks. But if not, then people are given antibiotics, especially if the secretions are thick and with yellow/green color. Once taken antibiotics and you still may need to take something to lower the swelling on the mucosa of the nose, if you are a person that suffer from allergies.

In that case nasal glucocorticoid sprays are recommended and they include either of budesonide, fluticasone propionate, mometasone furoate, triamcinolone acetonide, ciclesonide, beclomethasone dipropionate, or fluticasone furoate.

The efficacy of intranasal glucocorticoid sprays is supported by randomized trials but here is no compelling evidence that any one agent is more effective than another.
If obvious mucus or crusting is present, you can clean the nose with saline nasal sprays or irrigation before the nasal glucocorticoid is applied and apply it as explained in the previous answer. Also, it is very important as I said above, that you use it for longer then 3 weeks, because it is then that you feel the effect.

Hope this makes sense ans answers your question.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)
Dr. Papaqako is obviously very knowledgeable and was very kind in her responses. But in her answer to my second question she recommended using corticosteroid nasal sprays that I had expressed concerns about using in the first place. So I was hoping for some other alternatives. Since this was the first question I asked on the HealthcareMagic site, I've learned a little more about what information to provide and how to describe my situation more completely.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
There are no other things that have proven to work.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Thank you for the feedback.

It is not that it is what I am recommending, but it is what the medical guidelines show that works.

I'd recommend for antibiotics, if you haven't used them and if this is going on for such a long time.

The antihistamines, the decongestants and all those- have proven NOT much of HELP.

Frankly speaking, I would not recommend something that I believe won't be helpful, and there are other alternatives which are proven helpful.

Note that, nasal irrigation that I mentioned above is a treatment in itself and I would recommend doing that regularly, because it is very helpful too.

Next step after the failed attempts of helping drain the sinuses with the advises above, is surgery. But I don't think that you would be requiring that since you have not been suffering from allergies.

Hope this helps to reassure and inform you more.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (51 minutes later)
Thank you, Dr. Papaqako, I appreciate your follow-up reply and good medical information.

Here's more details on the various attempts I've made to heal myself:

I've been doing nasal irrigation every day for the past two months. I did one round of Amoxicillan early on, but I don't believe it is a sinus infection because I've only had very sticky clear or milky mucus. I tried Sudafed for a while and it cleared my head, but also dried me out. I've tried Mucinex (guaifenisen). I drink lots of water and hot tea and do warm compresses and have a humidifier in my bedroom. I take vitamin C and D and fish oil capsules. I also have tried drinking apple cider vinegar. Last evening I saw an acupuncturist for the first time, which seems to have gotten something to open up a little in my sinuses. (I plan to see her for 4-6 weeks going forward.)

Overall, I think my sinuses have improved over time but it has been very slow progress. All my sinuses were affected at first and now everything has moved down to just behind my nose and throat. I'm just very tired from being congested and not sleeping well. I think good sleep would help tremendously.

Thanks for your time,
XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (30 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Practical extra information that may help.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Thank you for the detailed explanation. It surely is more clear now, and gives a better picture on how I can be helpful to you.

It looks like you have been trying many things. I am very sorry for all that you have gone though.

Here are some thoughts that may help:
-- Guaifenesin is an expectorant so wont help. By taking it you are just adding to yourself some side effects.
-- Sudafed helps with congestion, but has proven to be not of help with the overall duration of the symptoms of sinusitis.
-- Be careful with taking the apple cider vinegar, because it may cause an ulcer in the duodenum if taken in large amounts and with empty stomach.
-- If you smoke, quitting may help.
-- Role of intranasal corticosteroids: long-term (> 12 months) use of intranasal corticosteroids for management of chronic sinusitis considered safe and are used for both mild and severe disease.
-- If you have nasal polyps or adenoids then adenoidectomy may reduce symptoms.
-- Don't know if you have considered this but **oral bacterial lysate (Broncho-Vaxom) may reduce symptoms of chronic sinusitis in adults.
-- If the treatment available do not work then functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) may be considered for patients with inadequate symptom relief from medical treatment.

I hope that any of these information will be somehow helpful so you can decide by being completely informed.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Klarida Papaqako

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 1804 Questions

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What Causes Sensitivity In Teeth After Using Fluticasone Propionate Nasal Spray?

Brief Answer: No interaction. Some practical advises how to use the steroid spray. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HealthcareMagic to post your health query. I read carefully your question and I understand your concern. There is no interaction between the two drugs so they can be used safely together. Flonase is recommended to be used once/daily so don't use it more then once. The numbness should go away if you do not use it anymore. However, in case you decide to use it again, the correct use of steroid nasal sprays should be done with your head pointed slightly downward during spraying and avoid tilting the head back, as this can cause drainage of the medicine from the nose to the throat. Also, you should avoid pointing the spray at the septum, which can become irritated. The full effect of the medicine is achieved when you use it regularly and for more then 3 weeks. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer. Regards, Dr. Papaqako