Any Teeth incidents associated with Interferon-Ribavarin?

[cwar]

Help?  Anyone experience tooth/teeth soreness or pain while on this treatment? If so what did you do?

Thank you,
Cwar

[skersj]

Yes. I use biotene toothpaste and mouthwash. When things are really bad I gargle with warm salt water.

[damosaab]

riba makes me grind teeth in sleep causes alot of jaw and tooth pain only way to ease this is mouth gaurd dentist wil sort for u biotene tooth paste is great for sensitive mouth and tongue

[newleaf09]

Yes, bruxism (grinding your teeth while asleep) is one of the side effects of ribivirin.  See about using a bite guard at night to stop that.

[justme53]

I had the grinding and jaw tension maybe a month ago or so, but it has since gone away. I may have loosened a couple of teeth during that time. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth also helps, but not all are equal. The dental office next door gives me samples of Tom's natural kids toothpaste that I really like and is irritation free.. I carry a travel bottle of biotene in my purse just in case. Also if you haven't already try to stay away from the manual toothbrushes because they can really irritate the gum line on tx. The electric or battery ones are much more gentle and I think do a better job.

Good luck, Pam

[mikesimon]

If Bruxism is a side effect of ribavirin, which I seriously doubt, it is the least reported side effects in a very long list. Of over 6,000 patients only 5 reported "bruxism" - the least reported adverse effect and so low that I question a causal connection.

See: http://www.ehealthme.com/drug_adverse_effect/Copegus-809602

I think it's possible that the cause of newly appearing bruxism in HCV treating patients might be anti-depression medication or SSRI's prescribed to address treatment induced depression. Those drugs ARE well known to induce bruxism.

Mike

[cb867]

i  also have the sore gums.  I use sensodine toothpast and rinse with biotene for dry mouth. If you have a hsitory of peridontial disease, you really need to keep a check on that.Tx can make it worse

[epiphiny]

Mikesimon makes a good point.  I also developed bruxism during treatment which I originally attributed to the tx meds BUT I have now stopped tx but I am still on the ADs (plan to stop them soon) and I still find I have bruxism!

That being said, I did experience alot of tooth and gum discomfort during tx mainly due to the dehydrating effect of the meds.  If I wasn't srupulous about my cleaning regime I would get gum infections and swolled gums.  I managed it with regular cleaning from the dentist, sensodyne and bioten, and really making sure I cleaned my teeth well after meals.

The lack of salivia makes it difficult to ensure sugars etc are washed away so it's essential to keep that mouth hydrated.

Happily, since stopping tx and attaining SVR my general oral health has improved!