Dentist/ Teeth Cleaning Importance

[Hawaiilover]

I have stage 4 CKD - GFR 21 at last check, IgA Nephropathy and High Blood Pressure(I'm 57yr old & 120lb)...just wondering what everyone's thoughts are about seeing a dentist for cleaning VS waiting until we know more about Covid or it's under control.. I know having healthy teeth/ mouth is important as it can effect other organs in your body. Thanks!

[Hidden]

You should contact your nephrologist and let him/her know about the work. Then, contact your dentist and make sure they know all of your health issues. That is exactly what I did, and when I went to the dentist for x-rays and cleaning, the dentist called the nephrologist and provided details and once that was done they did the work. The only additional information they took was my GFR at the time.

Best of luck.

[Hawaiilover in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I did call my nephrologist and he did not give me a clear answer, just to call dentist & check on what precautions they are taking and for me to decide what's best for me. I called and asked what they are doing..they said extra wiping down of areas and limited patients. They request patients wear masks when waiting but don't require it. I just keep going back & forth on this and can't decide.

[Hidden in reply to Hawaiilover]

You have to do what is best for you. My dentist closed the waiting room. Patients had to call from their vehicles when they parked and were called back when they could come in. That's when they took temperature, asked questions, and then brought you to a room. The call to my nephrologist was made at that time.

If your dentist is taking precautions and no medications are involved you shouldn't have a problem. It's really about your comfort level.

[Hawaiilover in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

Waiting for the Dentist to open back up the office. In meantime I brush more often and use mouthwash prescribed by Dentist. .

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Honestly, it's a personal decision.

I had my reservations as well.

Speak to your dentist and ask directly what sanitary provisions are being made for patients. Ask the office to have him call you.

In our case, you have a survey to fill out via text prior to coming and your temperature is taken upon arrival.

Sanitizer provided.

Office staff is behind plexiglass and wearing masks with many bottles of sanitizer available.

Now, 2 patients are allowed in the waiting room on different sides.

If you wish to be called in your car, or two are seated they call you and take you right in.

You are not allowed in the office without a mask; if needed a disposable one is provided for you. We had them above our lips and covering our faces.

In our case, normally when we go for a cleaning, the hygienist always reviews medical history and medications taken, she also takes out BP.

The chairs etc are sanitized with a spray and wiped down.

I went in for a long overdue computer scan to get dimensions for the makings of a permanent orthodontic retainer that he will be installing on my teeth.

( Different with adults)

The dental assistant reviewed medical issues and had a hair covering, gown

My dentist also wore a gown over his scrubs , mask and of course gloves and sterilized his close up lens before starting the procedure which was simple.

( computer scan - pretty cool!)

Everything is wrapped and disposable.

I sanitized after and saw them working on the room that I was in.

My husband's semi annual cleaning took place about a month ago. He observed the same as I did as far as PPE and sanitizing. Everything is disposable and wrapped for the cleaning.

Our dentist is young and very progressive and interactive with patients. Since buying this practice has really upgraded health. Safety and dental issues.

So my thoughts; call; have your nephrologist consult to put you at ease

Please feel free to reach out at anytime. One of us will always reach back.

Take Care and make the move when you are comfortable doing so.

Bet

[Hawaiilover in reply to Bet117]

Thank you so much. Sounds like you have a great dentist. I will certainly check into the procedures that mine has put in place.

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hi there Hawaiilover! Yes. This is true. I’ve heard this before. Poor oral health has been known to impact the heart and the kidneys alike. But then, I would imagine it does to other organs as well. As people with kidney issues, we would definitely need to keep on the ball with our oral health. From what I hear, the suggestions have always been, brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day and the use of mouth wash in between, also helps. Stay well. Many blessings. 😊👍✌️

[Hawaiilover in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Thank you!

[Bet117 NKF Ambassador]

Gosh, Hawaiilover, no thanks ever needed.

Your feelings of jumping into a situation during these uncertain and crazy times are perfectly normal.

I went through the same thing and my appointment was just for a scan via computer instrument of my bite.

( Puberty is tough the third time!)

My husband was actually the guinea pig as his scheduled cleaning was in June before I went in.

Honestly, give your nephrologist a call and see what he says. You will feel a while lot better.

Reach back and fill us in on the outcome!

Bet

[Darlenia]

I agree with Sammi. Oral health is important for your well-being. Our dental office does everything people have mentioned on this thread, but also places and turns on an aerosol suction or vacuum device near patients' mouths to prevent spread. As this is apparently new technology not yet approved by our insurance company, we wound up paying for this out-of-pocket ($35). It was worth it to us.

[Jayhawker]

I rescheduled my regular dental cleaning earlier in COVID. Unfortunately we’re now seeing triple the daily COVID percentage in my area now. My cleaning is set to occur on Aug 7th. I’ll go regardless of where we are with COVID as I don’t think it’s wise for me to postpone any longer.

My dentist’s office has procedures in place similar to those mentioned by others in this post. Plus the staff in the dentist’s Office are apparently being tested daily... I’ll take my typical precautions and then go and hope for the best.

Jayhawker

[Hawaiilover]

I have also postponed mine due to covid-19. So I have checked with my nephrologist and also the dental office and feel comfortable with the precautions that are being taken. So I will be going this Friday for my regular check as well. Thank you for your thoughts.

[TaffyTwoshoes27]

I did not read all of your replies, but I wanted to add that ever since I was diagnosed with CKD4 over 7 years ago, every time I went to the dentist I was prescribed antibiotics because of the kidney disease (I only took 1-2 pills a couple hours before the dental appt.). When the dentist cleans your teeth, bacteria will sometimes escapes and get into your bloodstream so the antibiotic is kind of important. Good luck! I hate going to the dentist!

[Hawaiilover in reply to TaffyTwoshoes27]

That's very interesting, I will definantley check into that.Thank you!

[Darlenia in reply to TaffyTwoshoes27]

That's interesting, pills can be hard on kidneys. Yours might be okay. Our dentist uses an anti-bacterial mouthwash which we keep in our mouths for an extended time; the procedure is timed.