Question about anti-tnfs and bad teeth.

[Dogrose]

After I started using Humira I noticed on all the info that comes with it that you shouldn't go on them if you have dental problems. No one said anything to me about this before I started on them. I have some awful teeth at the back, I haven't had a proper dentist in years, and I certainly can't afford to go to one now. I have really bad toothache today in one of my teeth, and I'm not sure what to do about it. I wonder if I left it it would eventually fall out on its own? I have no idea what to do or if I could get any help at all that didn't cost money.

[Dotty7]

Try looking for a Dental Access Centre in your area. It's an NHS dental service for people with special needs, but they also offer one course of treatment for anyone who isn't registered with a dentist. I went because I wasn't registered but the dentist has kept me on because she says my RA means I have special needs tooth and gum-wise. This could just be a provision in our trust, but it's worth googling your area.

[Dogrose in reply to Dotty7]

Thank you for your reply - I Googled 'dental access' and found local dentists offering the service, I have never heard of it, no one I called suggested it and the list for my town was halfway down the second page even so! You have saved me an awful lot of problems and bother- I would never have searched that term XXX

[Hidden]

Good dental hygiene essential for everyone.. not attending dentsit not good.. bleeding gums and loose teath v often is gum disease. more common in smokers im afrain too.

[Hidden]

Or try registering with an NHS dentist in your area - there should still be some. I think oral hygiene is more important for people with RA than for most of the population - some even say it's where RA starts and ends and many people with RA have gum disease initially I've read.

[oldtimer]

There's some evidence that bad dental hygiene can be linked with flares, so it's really important that you get regular dental treatment.

Your health board should be able to tell you which dentists are available in your area for NHS treatment (it's certainly improved in the last few years around here) and you need to make sure that they are aware of your special need for fillings and cleaning.

[Dogrose]

Thanks for the replies, I'm waiting for a call back from NHS direct, my GP won't have anything to with dental stuff at all. This town is notorious for having no NHS dentists.

[Dogrose]

Hmmmm NHS direct said the nearest dentist taking on NHS patients is about 45 minutes away by car.

But- I found on a local NHS site, hidden away in the dark recesses, a huge list of local dentists which are taking on NHS patients on a special dental access day, for people who haven't seen a dentist for at least two years. Rung up and got me and my partner on straight away despite limited places. Just have to tough it out for two weeks, NHS nurse said I didn't seem critical and just whack a temporary filling in and take pain killers. Would feel happier with antibiotics but nurse didn't think I needed them. I don't think she knows what Humira is!

NHS direct never mentioned the access day at all.

[Hidden]

well done on fiding nhs dentist and do quickly too x

[Dogrose in reply to Hidden]

It's only for one course of treatment, but I should be able to get the worst done on it. The same clinic also do a 'value line' type treatment plan that I will try to get onto when the NHS course is complete.

[Dotty7]

My one course of treatment took eight months to complete! And now she sees me every 3-4 months. Make sure the dentist knows exactly what your health condition/medication is and you may strike gold. Worth doing the research into the links between RA and gum disease - it's interesting.

Glad you've got some help.

Dotty xxx