Please help! All the dentist/doctors offices are closed until Monday in observation of July 4 and I don't want to worry all weekend. Here is the problem; my gum tissue has gotten a lot worse in the last 6-8 months (swollen/bleeding) even though my dental care is better than ever. The hygenist recommended root planing and scaling, which I went ahead and started today. The dental hygenist was surprised that I did not have a causative agent (meaning that I did not have tartar but all the same my gums were in bad shape and bleeding.) she seemed confused and she kept saying "I have to ask the dentist. I have to ask the dentist." (The dentists were all gone because it was a 5 o'clock appt.) I had lymphoma 4 years ago and I have some autoimmune problems including Sjogren's Syndrome (very mild.) anyway, the hygenist really scared me. she said that at best I am not getting enough Vitamin C, which is probably very true. I don't drink juice because of the sugar and I almost always go with vegetables over fruit. I am hoping this is the case because that would be an easy fix. I have no other symptoms of scurvy (no skin problems or bruising) except for fatigue and I think that is from stress and the cancer–which will never go away completely. My nails are a little thin but my hair is in great shape and I do not think I am anemic. (Last time when I got sick, it was breaking and tangling and I was pale and jaundiced.) now that is not the case at all. Plus, everyone is telling me how nice I look. One more thing, I was dropped-kicked into menopause because of my treatment and am taking synthetic estrogen.

I thought scurvy was very uncommon. Could it be something else. Can you offer any insight?

My boyfriend has ben getting TMJ (lockjaw) along with severe chest and lung pain with a fever, stomach pains, and constant headaches after leaving the dentist. he only gets these symptoms after visiting this health clinic and the third time he had to be taken to the hospital only 2days after his appointment because he could barley breath and could not open his mouth. Im worried they are using dirty needles or mercury fillings. My boyfriend believes he is allergic to Novocaine but the dentist told him that it was impossible. I have an appointment at this place for the first time in an hour. If i were to get sick to is there something i could do about it? and is it possible to be allergic to Novocaine? or is this kind of thing normal?

Yes, you can be allergic to Novocaine, so it is possible that your boyfriend is allergic. If it happens to you to, talk to your doctor and/or you may want to reconsider switching dentists if your doctor tells you that you are not allergic to Novocaine. Hope I helped!:)

If you want to make sure that the dentist is not using dirty needles, then let him place the needle infront of you.Actually there is no guarantee about the needles especially that they don't come wrapped.He just picks up one out of a box.Anyway needles go blunt in 2 or 3 times,there is little chance he 'd be using dirty needles.