Hi,
Has anyone had issues with cracked teeth while taking Hydrea ?
I'm 74 and have been on Hydrea about 1 year. In the last 6 months,
I have had 3 cracked teeth, all required crowns and a piece of filling fall out of
a 4th tooth, which could be repaired. These were all large very old fillings.
Still seems like quite a coincidence.
Thanks.
hi what does of Hydroxyurea are you on? I’ve been on it 7 years (500 mg 5 days & 1,000 mg 2 days a week) & haven’t had any unusual problems with my teeth but I rinse my house really well & drink lots of water after taking my pills. I do know others have posted over the years that they’ve had similar problems on Hydroxyurea. Hopefully more folks will respond. Katie
I just take 1 (500) per day, counts are well controlled.
I have many large old fillings, so I would expect some cracks over time.
Still 4 in the last six months seems crazy.
I think that tooth issues are more from the disease than from the Hydroxy. I wasn't able to tolerate HU at all and have been on several different meds over the years, but after several years of PV my teeth started to decay quickly and fillings started falling out, although I haven't had much actual cracking. I always had very good teeth, so my dentist was amazed. He also thought it was from medication (at that point I was on Jakafi) but after I changed meds it continued, so he and I both realized that the disease itself was doing it. BTW - I'm also in my 70's, so maybe age plus the disease has something to do with it.
Hi, I have been on HU for over two years at 500 mg die, no cracked teeth here but very sensitive teeth, which started after going on HU. Mine is easier as the special toothpastes seem to work, but my feeling is that HU does do something to the teeth.
I have had teeth chip at the edge but so has my friend who is not unwell at all. We, and the dentist put it down to age. Late seventies.
Same here. Have to let them checked all.
Please elaborate. Have uou had cracked teeh under Hydrea?
67 years old, and I have always had the worst teeth, they look great, they never hurt, right up until when they abscess, and they shatter/crack if you look at them sideways. I’ve had three dental implants in the last three years (two before Hydroxy, one after).
(When I was younger, one of my dentists told me I did *not* want to get a job in the circus hanging by my teeth 
)
Plus side, my current dentist is really interested and involved. He figured out my chronic sinus/back tooth pain was actually a “benign mucosal sinus cyst” and has me jump on a decongestant the second I feel any teeth pressure — My Hematologist’s only response when I told him of ongoing chronic face pain/numbness and eye pressure was that I should “double-up on the Hydroxy.” No, thank you.
When I talked with my dentist about my fears with my teeth falling out and possible mouth ulcers with starting on Hydroxy, he said that if there was an issue with teeth, the issue would be that of my teeth “crumbling” rather than falling out.
He told me to be sure to use a water pick *every* night as well as using a fluoride mouthwash before going to bed. I don’t think I’ve missed more than a couple times. I also use a peroxide-based mouth sore preventive mouthwash. Last visit my dentist was really happy with how my gums were doing, and no other dental work was needed.
(I will add, I am super careful with what I chew - no bones, ice, popcorn kernels, hard candy - I want to keep the teeth I have left as long as possible)
Concerning Hydrea and teeth. I have been on it a little over a year. My gums have been receding for years so I can’t blame it on the Hydrea. As far as my teeth go I am not sure yet if the discoloration is from the medication or not.
Hello Jamesxyz, I have lots of teeth problems myself including implants but not sure myself if it’s disease related or the hydroxurea and my doctors never seem to be able to answer that question when I’ve asked . Any dentist I’ve been to can’t believe how much work I’ve had done on my teeth and I’m only 52 . I’m sure being on 4 hydrox. doesn’t help me. Hope you feel better and stop having all these teeth issues, my personal opinion is I don’t think only one hydrox can do that to you I’m thinking more the disease . Stay well and God bless you.
Hi,
Thanks for your reply. With the 3 cracked teeth (all requiring crowns),
I was thinking coincidence, may be not the hydrea.
But last week just flossing, a filling broke off. So now 4 cracked teeth issues in the last 6 months, coincident with the start of Hydrea.
Seems like too much for coincidence.
I'll discuss it with the mpn Dr. I was considering switching to besremi,
however besremi lists severe dental issues as a possible side effect.
Anybody out there on inteferon having dental issues?
The only issue I have heard of with teeth an HU is discoloration. That does not rule out an unusual adverse effect however. The oral ulcers are a quite well known adverse effect, one I experienced on HU.
I have been on the interferons since May 2021, Pegasys then switched to Besremi. I have not experienced any dental issues. The IFNs have been more effective and much easier to tolerate than HU for me. However, we are all different in how we react. You are correct that periodontal issues are a potential adverse effect of Besremi. I believe this is not a common AE however.
If you feel more comfortable pursuing Besremi at this point that is certainly reasonable. Hope you are able to access whatever your treatment preference is.
Hi, I too have been having chipped tooth, gum problems and sensitive teeth. I was seeing the dentist probably twice a year just for cleaning and annual check ups but past 3 years, I have been seeing the dentist more, like every other month. Fortunately I have dental insurance and can’t imagine the cost if I don’t have it
Hi James, I'm sure sorry to hear about your teeth, whatever the cause. I'm 79 and have been on HU for 10 months, 500 daily. I have a mouth full of lovely fillings and some caps, but no cavities for 25 +years. Went for regular cleaning and my dentist found a real cavity and 2 areas to watch. She said HU causes dry mouth and dry mouth causes dental caries. She said to brush carefully with flouride toothpaste.
I walk/ jog 2-3 miles a day, drink lots of water, take vitamins and minerals, esp calcium/magnesium, D, Zinc etc. Eat very little sugar and have plain yogurt for breakfast, eat lots of veggies and adequate protein--I think. I hope these things strengthen our amazing bodies.
I also write a gratitude list of 5 things most days, work on social connections, and walk with the Lord. I think peace and hope help us to be healthier, don't you?
You know 70's are the new 50's! Courage and blessings.
Yes, since being diagnosed 2014, I have had a lot of trouble with my teeth. The dentist said, there is not enough blood getting to the gums, due to the illness 😕
The timing does point to a recent change in something. Have you various blood counts over the last couple years, and older ones to compare? including vitamins, minerals, CBC, CMP etc.
It's possible there is something that can be addressed beyond the HU and MPN effects.
I was ok on HU, I did get cracked finger nails, this is a well known effect and was getting bad. On Besremi also teeth remain ok and fingernails have improved back to normal.
Just curious, how long were you on Hydrea?
Was the Hydrea controlling your counts?
What was the main impetus for switching to besremi?
Thanks
I took HU for ~15 months. I switched to get the potential long term benefits of IFN: possible mutation reductions, less disease progression, and to avoid the negative effects of HU. But IFN has its own effects, which can be quite sensitive to dose.
HU did control my counts well, as is Besremi so far. But it was strange that my WBC and HCT/Hb seemed to fix itself just after my Dx and well before the HU would have started its benefits. PLT however took several months.
Yes James, I had 2 , oboth at the top,....lucky at the back....I put it down to my whole Lemon in hot water before my Brunch... although I use a Straw....now you made me think twice...
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