Dental Cleaning - OK while on tx?

I have an appointment coming up to get my teeth cleaned.  Platelets and ANC have been running somewhat low but getting better and wondering if it's Ok to keep my appointment while on tx.  I need a couple of crown replacements but I'm not going to do that right now.  I don't think I can handle it and money is getting a little tight as well.  If I do keep my appointment I guess I'll go ahead and tell them I have HCV - I don't like to disclose that info but they probably need to know although they should be sterilizing their instruments the same for everyone -  regardless of the HCV.  
Trinity

[drofi]

I am in week 74 now and never cleaned my teeth, do not even have an own tooth brush ;-)

[eureka254]

I've seen very strong, conflicting opinions on this forum about the 'disclosure' of HCV status to dentists. I respect the different points of view, as both sides of the fence have valid arguments in regards to transmission/discrimination -- I don't think there's a 'right' or 'wrong' there, ya gotta go with what feels right to you.

As far as the dental work during treatment, my husband is scheduled to start July 29th, and his hepatologist said that if he didn't get his dental work completed before tx, he could still do it during treatment (we're talking extractions).  If I were you, though, I'd definitely pose that question to the doc reviewing your platelet counts.

Best wishes,
eureka

[Trinity4]

Poor Baby, you've probably got the "nasty mouth" by now.  Please tell me your pic isn't real and if it is you have my condolences.

Eureka,
Don't want to get those conflicting opinions going again.  I think Mike716 about high iron and Joel6483 about alcohol and tx have one of the longest and most debated threads to date.  I'ts like right to life or abortion - disclosure or not - personal choice and to date I've choosen not to.  Thanks for your advise.
Trinity

[FlGuy]

Tell dentist or not to tell. Not.
Do you think that precautions are different from patient to patient?  It's none of their business.  If you had hemorrhoids or foot fungus would you tell them? An overdrawn checking account?

[GSDgirl]

My dentist was concerned that I hadn't had mine cleaned until after tx.  Part of the reason was that I had braces 6 years ago at the age of 40 and that can cause bone loss from the teeth moving, then add tx to that.  I got the x-rays and all was fine.  I didn't do any whitening tho.  I did tell my dentist about the hcv.

Denise

[Trinity4]

I'm with you.  I've never felt like it was anybody's business except those I wish to share with.  None of my friends or co-workers know.  You'd never know it from this forum but I really am a very private person.  I don't feel I HAVE to tell them, just thought I might but I'll make that decision when the time comes.  I won't even tell them about my hoof & mouth disease!!!
Trin

[comeagain]

I always tell nurces doctors dentists that I have HCV. In our country I think its against the law not to.

But they dont seem to bother anymore at the dentist, some years ago many dentists refused to take you on as a patient if you had it.

HCV is  included in a law frealy translated, dangerous for the puplic that includes most communucable diseases and them you have to report some to sexuel partners, not HCV though but HBV and they want let you in the US with HBV but with HCV they will

Some you must report to  medical authoritys, such as rabies, ebola, hiv bird flue, tbc and others.

Trinity I should have said it on the alco thread I respect your point of wiew a lot!
I just saw that cs and willy are still going on on that thread,but I`m like you is on the meds SO I`ve had it!
Don´t even care to read anymore on that subject.
Take care

ca

[Trinity4]

Thanks ca, I respect your opinion as well.  You've given me some very good advice over the months and I appreciate it.  As a matter of fact, I think you were the one who advised me not to reduce peg dosage and that the doc wouldn't know the difference anyway.  That's exactly what I did, took 1 reduced dosage and full dosed after that and my platelets and WBC came back up anyway so there!!  Docs don't know everything.  We all have our view points and no amount of debate or bickering is going to change someones's mind if they feel strongly enough about an issue.  That's what make the world go round.  Take care as well
Trin

[meki]

I disclose to everyone that I have HCV.

I'm not ashamed of my HCV status... And I'm not afraid of the stigmata associated with it..

But I do understand those who don't... For whatever reason. And EACH PERSON MUST CHOOSE for themselves whether they tell or not... And they should NOT be judged for their choices.

Now - as to getting a cleaning --- I think it is very important to upkeep your dental care...

And part of the reason to disclose to your dentist that you are taking Interferon and Ribaviran - is so that he/she can choose the proper plan of care for you.

I think that the Interferon will make or can make some people's teeth fall apart, get worse or cause them become easier to be infected.

I've heard part of that is due to dehydration --- and that the mouth must stay lubricated, or the teeth begin decaying faster.

People on TX tend to have more dry mouth --- and mouth problems than most.

So I think it's important to upkeep your dental care...

BUT it is also important that your doctor --- the dentist --- knows that you have lowered platelets --- lower white blood cell count, etc. So that he can treat you with knowledge --- should ANYTHING happen medically while you are under his care.

He/She is a doctor --- and in being so - must also follow the Privacy Laws, etc.

Meki

[allanh]

1. I told my dentist, because he needed to know about the interferon and ribavirin. No problems at all. If you're afraid to tell your dentist, find another dental office for cleaning during TX.

2. No matter where you get your teeth cleaned, you need to give the dentist a complete list of all meds that you're taking to ensure that nothing your dentist does or gives you is incompatible. I actually typed up a list of all of my meds, which I give out to all of my health care providers.

3. I believe it's even more important during TX than usual to take good care of your teeth. During TX our immune systems are, to put it mildly, somewhat whacko. The germs associated with gum disease and caries have been linked to higher than usual incidences of respiratory issues (e.g., infections, colds, flu, etc.).  If you don't get your teeth cleaned, I'd think you're running the risk of increased gum inflammation.

4. BTW...one of my SX is  dry mouth, which increases gum inflammation. My dentist was pleased that I told him what was going on in terms of TX because then he knew just what to recommend for cleanings and procedures during TX. It's because I told my dentist about my TX that he recommended Biotene mouthwash to fight dry mouth. :)

Good luck on your TX!

-- Allan (just took shot 48 of 48, counting down 6 more days of ribavirin)

http://hepatitis-c-log.livejournal.com/

[Trinity4]

Thanks for all the advise. I need to keep my regular dental appts because I did have some mild gum issues years ago and don't want to make it worse again.  I don't have the perfect teeth but want to hold on to them as long as I can.

Meki,
How are you feeling these days?  Have they been able to find out what's causing the pain in your joints?  I know you were suffering and I thought about you but didn't chime in because I don't know that much about it.  I do know many of us have joint problems after tx and I've even noticed the problematic areas I had before tx have worsened considerably since starting tx.  Hope it becomes manageable for you soon.
Trin

[meki]

The Internist, Rheumy advised that it's neuropathic pain. Think either my nerves are sending out multiple signals of pain - and it's somewhere in the Central Nervous System...  Think Fibromyalgia... Or Peripheal Neuropathy --- but we're working on drugs to help it... So far the Tramadol seems to be working - the Lyrica stunk to high heaven for me... LOL! But works wonders for others.

My pain is not just in the joints - it's in the muscles, the tendons, the connective tissues --- like cartilage...

I'm assuming it was caused by the TX --- or by the HCV. It was a relief - sort of - to find out I'm not dying of any other weird disease... LOL!

But it will be a lifelong experimentation with drugs - as they will stop working and I'll have to switch around.

But it's good to know that it probably won't get much worse than it is right now... That I'm at the bottom of the pile - and the only way to go is UP!

So --- all in all - I'd say it was a good thing.

I can handle pain (not very well - mind you --- the poor hubby... well he is handling me well.. LOL!)

But I couldn't handle dying from some sort of immune disorder... so this is much better than that! LOL!

Hugs to you - and thanks for checking in on me.

Meki

[susan400]

My advice is to check with your regular Hep C physician, first and ask him if you're at risk for any infections; like if you have an extremely low WBC/neut's and if you are, then perhaps he may suggest the prophylaxis pre-dose of antibiotics prior to your dental appts., like they used to do before w/mitral valve patients.  If your Hep C doctor doesn't feel it's necessary then, proceed with your dentist.  That's my opinion.

Susan