CD20 Therapies (Ocrevus, Kesimpta, etc.) and potentially serious dental problems

[CatsandCars]

This was an interesting post on the MS-blog. You have to get past the Dustin Hoffman in Marathon Man reference (which was a memorable scene!) to get down to the nitty gritty of why dental hygiene and regular checkups are so critical when when you're on certain MS therapies.

multiple-sclerosis-research...

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

After 4 years of not seeing a dentist, thank you COVID, I decided to get back on track with my regular dental checkups, CatsandCars . I am glad that I did because I had a cracked molar! Keep Smiling

I will share this article with my dentist.

[CatsandCars in reply to carolek572]

That sounds painful! Did they have to extract it? This article didn't reference a major study or anything, but it's always good to have a heads up!

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador in reply to CatsandCars]

Not painful, just zingy when either hot or cold touched the tooth, CatsandCars . They ended up crowning it! Now, I have 4 of them in my mouth! One for each season! 🤴

[CatsandCars in reply to carolek572]

That sounds better than pulling it! I only ask because I clench my teeth at night and wouldn't be completely surprised if I cracked one. I went to the dentist to get a mouth guard and he says that the general public is very stressed out, and doing a lot of clenching and grinding. Not that teeth can't crack for other reasons. I'm glad you got up to date with your dental care. Thanks for letting me know to look out for zingy teeth! 😁

[Greentime in reply to CatsandCars]

I have a mouth guard for clenching, it really helps! My dentist said that during Covid dentists saw a huge upswing in clenching. They called it the Covid Clench! haha!

[CatsandCars in reply to Greentime]

That's funny! 😅 The poor dentists probably had a lot of time to come up with that clever name while everyone was staying home. ☹️ I just got my second mouth guard. It doesn't seem to stop the clenching, but I feel like it helps protect my teeth.

[kdali]

A healthy person's schedule is twice per year. My MS person schedule is 3 times per year, regardless of meds. Warm salt water rinse 5x per day is my first line of defense if a med is causing gum irritation.

[CatsandCars in reply to kdali]

Good to know!

[stepsforNeeC]

You’re Absolutely Correct. I came out of Adult Braces about three years ago and I see my dentist every 6 months for routine cleaning. Steroid based medication can weaken the teeth along with not eating a healthy diet! Life with MS

[CatsandCars in reply to stepsforNeeC]

I took a two year vacation from dental visits during Covid, but other than that I've always kept up with them. I knew meds in general pretty much always change your beneficial oral bacteria, because my dentist told me, but I guess it's always good to be vigilant.

[MaMere2]

I get my teeth cleaned every three months no matter what medicine I'm on. I've been doing this for many years. Once I realized that my DMT decreased my white blood cell count enough to effect the bacteria in my mouth, the good bacteria that you need to protect your teeth, I began the teeth cleaning every three months. DMTs don't differentiate between good and bad white blood cells. I'm diligent about brushing and flossing too.

[falalalala]

I've asked my dentist a few times if it's safe.😜😂

[CatsandCars in reply to falalalala]

I'm sure that your dentist appreciated that! 😆