dental problems

[giddyup]

Hello fellow heppers, I've done two rounds of treatment and still have hep c. I have needed quite alot of dental work since being diagnosed and treating hep c.Yesterday I was told I have severe gum disease. I'm 42 years old. I'm seeing a periodontist tomorrow. I did a quick web check yesteday and found that there is an association between hep c and dental problems. Can anyone here share some expierence or knowledge on this suject? I was also just diagnosed with hep c related osteoarthritus

                                           Thank you

                                             Giddy up

[sunspot]

What a nice thread to bring back. Where the heck have some of the Vets gone? I wish them well. Has Jim gone?

[frijole]

giddy -- Not just November - but November 05. Apparently you can bring back an old post by commenting on that post.  However, you can only then see the post if you have your computer set to "last post" rather than "date started."  I keep mine on "date started" but switched over to see what was currently being posted on.  Interesting.  So how are your teeth nearly 2 years later?

My teeth are no worse for the 56 weeks of tx.  I have bad teeth and bad gums but go to the dentist every 4 months and have had major bridges, rootcanals and crown work done pre tx.  I had a couple of crwons done post tx, but they had been on the planning board for a few years.  I think going to the dentist frequently during tx is crucial and keeping you mouth salivated is important.

frijole

[giddyup]

why is my post from November here

[tjaloha]

I went to the dentist for a cavity about 3 wks ago, a few weeks later I was back in to have another one filled right in front of the last one.  Had just had x rays last march and was clean, 3-4 months later I am looking at 2 possible root canals, a crown and a few more small cavitied filled.

I went to another dentist, a well repsected USC grad here in the state.  He said that he sees this often with folks on chemo and the like.  Said that if before starting treatment you have "soft spots" on your teeth (those white blotchy marks) they are likely to turn into cavities while on treatment.  One suggestions was that when our mouths dry up, (and boy did mine ever in the beginning) we lose the protective enzymes in the saliva and our teeth deteriorate faster.  Very common he said.  

So he gave me samplers of a Biotene product for dry mouth.  (gum, mouthwash, toothpaste).  He also suggested I start using the mouthwash ACT and the flouride gel called Gel-Kam both OTC.  That later two to help build the protective coating on the teeth.

I talked with my hepatologist about tooth decay being a possible side effect.  He didn't think it was but I beg to differ.

Good luck all.
peace

[mikesimon]

I had severe mouth sores during TX. My tongue was terribly sore. I couldn't even think of eating a saltine cracker because it was too abrasive. And the insides of my cheeks would feel as if they were ulcerated and they very well may have been. But, those things resolved soon after I stopped TX and have not resurfaced. Mike

[nygirl7]

I have had significant gum problems for MANY years too.

During treatment every cavity I had became a root canal and a few of my teeth actually broke teeth with fillings without fillings...  Interferon just eats them alive and made it SO much worse..

That is why the doctors advise us to take care of our dental problems asap.