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Why Do I Have A Sore Mouth And Teeth That Ache While Treating Lyme Disease?

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Posted on Thu, 2 Nov 2023
Question: I have a sore mouth and teeth that ache. All of them. I was taking amoxicillin for Lyme s disease that was neurological, stiff neck, malaise, low grade fever, some cognitive impairment, not really... Anyway I was going to go to the dentist, and I cleaned my teeth nicely, and I noticed a Bells Palsy. Slight swelling still, and it was not bad at all. I had Lyme s disease in 1979, with no antibiotics and I got learning disabilities from the neurological damage. I had an I Q of 160 at age 5. Nowadays it is enough for college. Anyway, I had some endocarditis symptoms but they remitted too. The sore mouth is what I need help with. why do my teeth ache. It is better after a day and a half off the antibiotics...

I think it is an adverse reaction to amoxicillin. I took enough of a course so that I have treated the Lymes disease.

I can't have my mouth and teeth hurt this much. Any ideas would be helpful. Ie, timing of feeling back to normal.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You may switch to Erythromycin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting us for your health concern

The Bell's palsy seems to be due to Lyme disease. The toothache you are experiencing is likely due to bells palsy which can cause pain on the affected side.

However, Bell's palsy does not cause sore mouth. Since you noticed an improvement in discontinuing amoxicillin, allergy to Amoxicillin is an important consideration.

I would also like to mention that if the complete course of amoxicillin has not yet been taken, switching to erythromycin is required to completely clear up the infection.

Please be advised to follow up with your treating physician to switch to erythromycin.
Also, it is important to undergo ENT evaluation to identify any other reasons for sore mouth and toothache.

You can take Tylenol to reduce the pain.

Hope this answers your questions
Please let me know if you need further clarification.

Regards
Dr.Lekshmi

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (20 hours later)
I did and that is what worsened the pain in my mouth, teeth, etc. I had Lyme endocarditis symptoms, so I added it for a day or two. So that's not what I'm doing at this juncture. I m waiting for the antibiotic side effects to remit. They are similar to allergies, but I think it means the antibiotics reached their mark. My stiff neck and malaise and low grade fever - and Bells Palsy has remitted. So I'm stopping. If I get arthritis in 6 months to a year, then I'm not using antibiotics.

You need an IQ of 135 to be a doctor. I don't need to be one, I need to not be in pain and anxious too... I think side effect of Amoxicillin treatment is what you meant to council me about. The mouth rash is very distressing, and I needed some of that anxiety treated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Advise to take cetirizine 10 mg at bed time

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

From the information you have given I am assuming you have completed the antibiotic course.
As far as the allergy to Amoxicillin, you can take cetirizine 10 mg at bed time for fast relief. You can also use 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup water as mouth wash to netralize acids in oral cavity. Avoid commercially available both washes. You can also use mouth numbing mouth washes like anbesol or ulcer ease mouth rinse for pain relief.
The joint and muscle pain associated with lyme disease can be very distressing and I understand that the situation you are going through is difficult.
You can take Advil 400 mg up to 4 times a day for pain control. If Advil does not seem to be helping, tramadol(which is low potency opoid) can be tried. But for buying tramadol you will require a prescription.
Anxiety is likely due to the pain and other issues associated with lyme. Once you have adequate symptom control, the anxiety will also likely subside. If not, it is best to start SSRIs which are antianxiety medication.

Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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Why Do I Have A Sore Mouth And Teeth That Ache While Treating Lyme Disease?

Brief Answer: You may switch to Erythromycin Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for trusting us for your health concern The Bell's palsy seems to be due to Lyme disease. The toothache you are experiencing is likely due to bells palsy which can cause pain on the affected side. However, Bell's palsy does not cause sore mouth. Since you noticed an improvement in discontinuing amoxicillin, allergy to Amoxicillin is an important consideration. I would also like to mention that if the complete course of amoxicillin has not yet been taken, switching to erythromycin is required to completely clear up the infection. Please be advised to follow up with your treating physician to switch to erythromycin. Also, it is important to undergo ENT evaluation to identify any other reasons for sore mouth and toothache. You can take Tylenol to reduce the pain. Hope this answers your questions Please let me know if you need further clarification. Regards Dr.Lekshmi