Dental problems after transplant.

[nicola1982]

I was wondering if anyone could help. My daughter was born with biliary atresia and had a transplant aged 2 in 2008. She is now 8yrs old but is feeling really down about her teeth. Her first teeth were very yellow and now her 2nd teeth have come through just as bad. She is seen regularly by our local dentist but sometimes he will come out with comments that her teeth are stained because she doesn't brush them well enough. I get really frustrated because she brushes her teeth twice a day with a good quality electric tooth brush and toothpaste. Children are starting to say stuff at school and this is worrying her for going back after the summer break. Has anyone else had these dental problems.

[ConsMum]

Hi Nicola.

Your dentist obviously does not understand liver disease and is being unfair. Teeth can be stained from jaundice whilst still in the gum. That's what happened with my son. He had his transplant at 22 months but his second teeth came through stained.

What hospital is your daughter under? My son is under King's and they referred him to their dental hospital early on to get advice from them. He does see a normal dentist now but it was very helpful to see someone more experienced in children with liver disease at first.

(Other parents have said they've also been told that some meds can have a staining effect on teeth but personally I was told it was the jaundice.)

I was told that once my son is older he could have veneers or something similar done to help the appearance if necessary.

Jo x

[poppy67]

You're dentist sounds unaware of the impact of BA, which is surprising. My daughter has BA (Kasai only) and we could tell the difference between her and her identical twin. The one with BA has darker hair, skin and teeth. The teeth aren't as bad now she is older. Our dentist understood the connection immediately and supports her. They get regular fluoride coating (not sure if this helps with staining though), but she does drink lots of water with real lemons in it, then eats the lemons, which I know is good for the liver and bleaches teeth - although careful with stripping the enamel.

I would educate your dentist (google and provide info sheets). If that doesn't change his bedside manner, then change dentists. Life is hard enough with BA, and with other kids comments, without the comments of well-meaning but uninformed professionals.

Best of luck xx