Ibrutinib and gum bleeding

[ANA4]

Hi everyone, is it necessary to tell my dentist that I am CLL patient as I have appointment next week for checkup

[nanasu]

Yes he needs to know that you are immune suppressed so he can protect you. Might also want to know you last blood results. My dentist always ask me.....he`s private so doesn`t have access to my NHS records.

I`m surprised you are getting an appt for a check up. Mine was for this coming wednesday ....not that I would have gone.....but dentist has cancelled all but urgent treatment for the moment.

Keep yourself save and tell him/her.

[lfm73]

I did tell the dentist and hygienist and had quite a lot of bleeding when I had my teeth cleaned. They checked thoroughly for any signs of infection or disease, but found nothing but the bleeding.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer in reply to lfm73]

Platelet levels are important---low levels can result in spontaneous bleeding. The dentist most likely checked to see if you had gum disease which can cause bleeding of gums. He found nothing, so it is important that you check with your hematologist/oncologist for guidance.

Hope all goes well.

[cajunjeff]

Is it "necessary" our dentist know we have cll before doing a check up? I think probably not. Is it "advisable" we tell our dentist about our cll before a check up? I think it probably is, and most certainly is before undergoing any procedure.

My dentist is a friend and in the year or so after my diagnosis I wasn't letting people know I have cll, and did not tell him. I eventually decided it was an important part of my medical history and better he knew than not.

I am in a small town and I get a lot of "how are your feeling" questions these days, leading me to believe my cll cat is pretty much out of the bag these days. I used to care who knew, not so much now. My cll over time has me caring less about what others think about me, and thats a good thing I find.

[mrsjsmith]

Ami,

My dentist is also a friend but a different dentist when I was diagnosed and I read somewhere to tell my dentist of diagnosis. The practice manager seemed au fait with CLL and suggested I see the hygienist every 3 months and to have my teeth hand scaled, which I do religiously.

Colette

[Hidden]

i always tell whoever is cleaning my teeth to not overeact to bleeding=but stop and ask me to look at my gums in the mirror.

[oldguy68]

Anyone that's going to have a dental procedure that's going to include bleeding needs to let their dentist know and or talk to their oncologist beforehand.

[bennevisplace]

Yes, and latest CLL blood results too.

[morepork]

I also recently discussed my CLL & current blood test results with my dentist pre tooth extraction. Because my tooth & gum showed infection on Xray and my platelets are low and I'm on Ibrutinib we talked about more potential bleeding than usual. He gave me antibiotics to take for several days before treatment. Vigorous de-scaling due to gums to come in a couple of weeks.

[Bridgewood]

Dentists here in Canada are only taking emergency cases. And yes, most definitely he should be informed about your CLL. I could not have a cleaning even before Covid came along.

[kathymac52]

Absolutely......and remind again and again....my husband said he had CLL and he had a cleaning which left him bleeding.....then the next day he complained of gum pain, then he spiked a fever.....I was furious!!! This was before he needed treatment, but now he is so spooked he does not want to go back. He is on Ibrutinib now. Perhaps the dentist would even suggest an antibiotic....I take some before a cleaning as I have had a knee replacement. The cleaning should be very gentle for you!!

[mrsjsmith]

Ami,

Me again and kathymac’s reply reminded me that you can take Amoxicillin powder an hour before treatment. I did before I had the gentle hygienist and I do still before any invasive work.

Colette

[ANA4 in reply to mrsjsmith]

Many thanks Colette

[Spr-ing24]

I am on ibruitnib and due to have my tooth extracted this week and was advised by my consultant to stop taking ibruitnib for 3 days before and 3 days after then continue as normal.

[clifflee]

Had a strange experience at the dentist last February. I have told him previously I have CLL as he needs to know and I have had many absences under teeth. On this occasion he gave me an injection for a small filling and he couldn’t stop the bleeding, he asked me to report It to my hematologist, he did a bloods check and said everything was ok.

[Spr-ing24]

Hi good news all went well with tooth extraction and no excessive bleeding thankfully as I was really worried about that. Back on medication and all well.