Teeth cleaning while on tx

[Tippyclubb]

Is it ok to get teeth cleaned on tx.  My nurse not in today to ask and only appt I can get is tomorrow morning, or wait for 3 weeks.  Normally there's not a lot of bleeding, but was wondering if this is okay because all my blood counts are low.

[Bill1954]

I had my teeth cleaned over twelve times during the course of my treatments; I think it helped me maintain good gingival health while treating. It also allowed the dentist to check for any caries that might have developed due to dry mouth. I would certainly do so; however, if you have current labs, you might let the hygienist review them before the appointment.

Good luck—

Bill

[Bill1954]

I suppose if your platelets are *very* low, you should consult the dentist.

[justme53]

I'm glad you brought this up cuz I was just going to ask about flossing. I had a complete checkup and cleaning before tx and could floss with no problem until a couple weeks ago when I would bleed during the flossing and would have to rinse and rinse with cold water to get it to stop. I've since stopped altogether because I think I irritated and inflamed my gums. Anyone else have this problem?

Pam

[nygirl7]

I suppose if your platelets are *very* low, you should consult the dentist. "

Otherwise do everything you can do to protect your teeth during treatment as the inteferon literally will eat them away - it's horrible stuff you want to do everything you can right now to prevent cavities!

[Kathy73]

I didn't know that about interferon. Just great! Now I have Hep C, bad gums and my teeth are being attacked! This just gets better and better! :)

[Rockerforlife]

I am thinking of getting my teeth cleaned by students at a dental school,has anyone tried this before?....I know it takes 3 sessions,ive been reading they actually do a better job than the reqular  public hygenists because they are beig watched by the teachers at all times

[jankar]

I have periodontal disease and get my teeth cleaned every four months.  I wanted to do it every three months because I am paranoid but she said not - my gums and teeth are fine. I have been doing this for years.  Since I started treatment, she advised me to continue getting these treatments but to up my daily clean routine.  I use an electric toothbrush and floss, I use interdental brushes after that and a non- alcoholic mouthwash - twice a day.  Alcoholic mouthwashes are showing signs of causing mouth cancers so avoid them. In 24 weeks of treatment I have had no problems and we think it will pay to be extra vigilant when treatment ends, because of the shift in immune system. My gums do not bleed ever or hurt unless I am too violent with the floss or grind my teeth all night.

Take care of your teeth and gums more vigilantly during treatment and if you use a routine like mine you will probably be doing the best you can.

[AnotherJourney]

My dentist told me that during treatment it was very important to keep my cleaning schedule. He said meds which cause dry mouth can allow bacteria to grow and really acccelerate tooth decay.

[oneatenuff]

Hi Tippy, of you're worried or not sure, the dentist can get your most recent labs and make the decision from there.  For most, a routine cleaning while on tx isn't a problem.  Unless your platelets are real real low, you should be fine.  My periodontist (once I was on treatment for Hep C)  wanted a CBC and platelets prior to deep cleanings.  

Any bleeding you see while flossing or brushing is a warning that you should do something then (not later)  and get to a dentist.  The blood settles into spaces between your teeth and along the gum line where it will then reek havoc with just the slightest dip in your labs   (wbcs).   Bleeding = infection = more bleeding and more infection  

Don't stop flossing or brushing if you see blood. If you can't get to a dentist or if you have to wait,  start using warm salt water gargles and bump brushing and flossing up to 6 X day and brush after every sugary thing you put in your mouth.   Chew sugarless gum and drink lots of water.Try to get electric toothbrush.  Stop smoking.  

If the dentist won't see you due to low labs and agrees to see you after your labs have come up some, see if he'll prescribe Peridex mouthwash until you are seen.  (It's an antimicrobial - it'll kill all bacteria in your mouth.)    If the dentist won't prescribe it see if your hep doc will.  

Good luck

[CMcH]

My NP told me to hold off on getting a bridge or dentistry through out TX after it took quite a while to heal and I was very sore after a basic cleaning. I have noticed that food gets stuck between my teeth more so I use a lot of tooth picks and floss. I am not sure if its because I have less saliva to break down the food in my mouth or to water it down when I swallow. Perhaps my gums are receding more to allow more space for things to get caught. Probably both. I can't use regular mouth wash or tooth paste now I use the Biotene and it just doesn't give that fresh feeling. (Sounds like a personal hygene add)
I do worry about my breath because of this and chew a lot of sugar free gum. That seems to help a little.
Good luck
Connie

[Trish77]

I got extensive cleaning and I also had teeth removed while on treatment.  I got a tooth infection while on treatment and had to go on antibiotics for it so I say go for the cleaning and take care of those teeth and keep that bacteria under control.

Trish

[Rockerforlife]

The dentist school ?...I asked them about thier saftey practices and she said there are fully inspected by the govt ...she aslo mentioned that i have to report my health records...but for some reason she said i didnt have to disclose certain heath problems...one was hepatitis...she said ita personal choice and not the law to do so...BUT..sahe also says they can tell if a person has the disease just by the the mouth exam...is this possible?

[Bill1028]

Teeth cleaning?  You don’t need no stinking teeth cleaning.  Check out Rocker’s thread in the social forum on Oil Pulling.

Just kidding, I had my teeth cleaned 6 times while on treatment.  My platelets have been between 400 to 700 and never had a problem with bleeding.  I use Biotene tooth paste and mouthwash.  Biotene is used by people on chemo with dry mouth which is important to us because of tx causing dehydration.

[Tippyclubb]

Lol! I forgot about the oil pulling. Da*n could have save some money.

Teeth cleaned -no bleeding.  Periodontist highly recommended using Act with Fluoride mouth rinse before going to bed.  He said it helps to fight tooth decay,  helps lubricate the mouth and benefits people using Interferon.  Do not eat, drink, or smoke after using--just go to bed.  

[Bill1028]

Do not eat, drink, or smoke after using--just go to bed.

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What am I going to do with the bottle of Scotch and cigarettes on my night table?  If that is the case, than I’ll stick with my biotene.

Glad things worked out!

[jmjm530]

Rock: BUT..sahe also says they can tell if a person has the disease just by the the mouth exam...is this possible?
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Think about it. If this was true, then we'd go to a dentist for diagnosis as opposed to taking a PCR viral load test.
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I upped my cleaning schedule from 3 to 4 times per year and had some minor dental work done such as crown work. Late in treatment, I asked my NP about having some implant work done and she said to wait several months after treatment was over as the interferon can soften bone. Overall, my opinion is to hold off elective work, but if something really needs to be done then run it not just by your dentist but by your treatment doctor.

-- Jim

[smaug48]

My wife is a dental hygienist, and she says what AnotherJourney said.  During tx you should very careful about keeping your teeth and gums healthy - dry mouth facilitates tooth decay.  I get my teeth cleaned once every three months.

HR has talked about the importance of keeping metabolic stress down.  I would bet that a chronic inflamed state like gingivitis would cause metabolic stress.

smaug

[Trish77]

Rock: BUT..sahe also says they can tell if a person has the disease just by the the mouth exam...is this possible?
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Think about it. If this was true, then we'd go to a dentist for diagnosis as opposed to taking a PCR viral load test.
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Well, actuallly, there is a bit of truth to what she said.  I went to the dentist before I started treatment and the young hygienist shocked the heck out of me when she asked me if I'd ever had Hepatitis, that my teeth said so.  I wish I could remember but she said there are certain indications in the mouth that are typical of people who have had Hepatitis.  Now not Hep C but Hepatitis in general.  Sorry that I don't recall and I'm too tired to google it so someone else can do it.  I've had Hep B and Hep C and she was dead on.

Trish

[Trish77]

She was dead on about me having had Hepatitis.  She couldn't tell which flavour, just that the state of my gums showed indications of it.

[mikesimon]

I see my dentist every three months for at least a cleaning. I did it while I treated and I had a platelet count in the low 20,000  on many occasions and I never had a problem. I did take an antibiotic an hour prior but that was because I was immunosuppressed. I never had a problem with bleeding. I have always thought that platelet count isn't the only determinative factor of clotting time. As I recall, despite my low platelet count, my clotting time wasn't dangerously slow or long.
Mike