Wondering if anyones experienced any issues with teeth/gums with there B12 deficiency? Around the time of my diagnosis I had a horrible gum infection around a back wisdom tooth which was treated with antibiotics and went away. It’s about two weeks later and i’m now getting what I think may be the beginnings of the same thing on the other side of my mouth. Slight gum pain- and a definite tingling/sensitive feeling around my teeth on that side. It’s got me wondering whether the sudden frequent gum infections could be related to my B12?
For context: I am currently waiting to start my loading doses which I will be having in mid August. I am unable to get them until then (despite my protesting) as there is no nurse available to give them at my surgery. So all I have currently is a B12 sublingual spray which I doubt is making any difference. I had a blood test level of 75, so pretty low!! Other symptoms are extreme tiredness/fatigue, nausea, on/off periods of brain fog, achy and tight muscles and some tingling in hands/feet 😔
Written by
AmHW
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I have been experiencing a weird sensations with my front teeth, like a dull ache. My gums are also a bit sore and feel itchy. Not sure if it is because of B12 but had my injection 3 days ago so if it goes i know it is because of B12. Im also a bit low in Vitamin D aswell though so maybe it could be that, im not sure. Have you had any other tests done to check vitamin levels?
Thank you. I’m due to have my first loading dose on 12 Aug so getting closer now, but still frustrating. I did have lots of blood tests done and everything else was ok- just the B12 that was low. Really hoping and praying that the loading doses do make me feel a bit better. Have a big holiday planned for September and i’d hate to feel the way I do now for it.
I am sure you will notice some difference after your loading injections. It may take a while for all symptoms to subside but i bet even a slight improvement if it happens quickly, will be welcome. I know how you feel it isnt nice
Why can't a doctor or Hca give it? ??I Had throat infection before my loading doses. I thought i got mine from A+E when I had a cT scan before I knew I was b12 defient. I had to push for my loafing doses to start. From collapse a 6 week delay. Bloods wernt read and thrn I wasn't told ! ....too long . The sooner the better once you know. Mine was 106 and all sorts of nasty neurological symptoms set in. I never realised how inaccurate the serum b12 test is. Only showing all B12 in your blood
No idea what % was active. I hope your treatment staresearch as soon as possible.
Thanks, yes I can’t understand why the Dr can’t do it- but the GP was less than interested when I spoke to her the second time to complain about the wait after having it booked in with the nurse. They just said it’s the nurses job in the surgery and to try oral B12 to tide me over... 😩
The HCA now does them at our surgery. When I've got stuck the nurise practioner did one and the Gp did one. I did push. I tried sub lingual and tablets but at that time dudnt seem to do anything. Tried tablets in between injections to try and see if I can absorb also liver . Still have been given no reason as tests negative for PA but have been told on injections for life.
Same here. I have tested negative for intrinsic factor and doctor will not confirm if PA. However i have learnt from others on here that just because test was negative does not rule out PA as a lot of people do test negative. I think for some there is no definitive test to confirm, atleast not that i am aware of anyway. Either way though i beleive the treatment is the same. I also need injections every 3 months
Oh wow. Your level is very low im surprised they don't seem more concerened. When mine was 91 i was booked in to have loading doses within a few days. I'll never understand why some doctors dont take it seriously. Good luck
For years I had on/off mouth ulcers and sore gums - I thought I was brushing and flossing too hard. It was most likely due to my folate deficiency (lack of folate causes mouth sores) and I have the compound MTHFR mutation so don’t absorb a lot of folate through food - and since I’ve been supplementing, they have mostly gone.
When I first had B12 deficiency, I had a lot of infections which took a while to heal.
I had recurring salivary gland infection with saliva duct strictures (what should be a straight tube became sausage-links)- which meant that if I got really hungry, I looked like a hamster ! Reading a menu in a restaurant could bring it on immediately. Had to have a rather painful procedure involving a small camera on a stalk with an inflatable balloon at the end of it.
Incidentally, an ENT consultant at the hospital agreed with me that saliva was key to protection of B12 in food (extrinsic factor) - having a substance called haptocorrin in its makeup - so strictures in ducts can compromise dietary B12.
Also, perhaps unsurprisingly, gum infections and teeth needing to be removed.
Also at this point I was very prone to any cuts anywhere getting infected and slow to heal.
I now don't get any of these problems because I self-inject at a frequency that prevents me from getting worse and gradually is helping me improve.
When I was discovered to also have osteoporosis of the spine, I was given Risedronate, which I believe caused jaw pain and loose teeth. Decided to stop taking it. The pain stopped. This is a very rare side-effect, so I could be wrong -but am happier not being in pain.
It's going to take a while to see improvements, and be prepared that some people experience a worsening of symptoms before improvements take place. Your B12 level is very low- I find it appalling that once a deficiency has been found, there is such a lack of urgency regarding your treatment.
If left, symptoms can develop quite quickly that are irreversible. In particular among other symptoms be wary of loss of feeling that affects your ability to walk, inability to use spatial awareness (eg: putting a cup down on a table, and misjudging the edge of the table), and cognitive impairment- misunderstanding others' words, inability to retrieve a word you want to use.
Hard to believe that your surgery would not be aware of the importance of a fast response here.
Two reasons that I have improved:
a persistent GP that I can trust + the people on this forum.
Yep! Aching teeth, irritated gums. Dentist says no sign of gum disease. It's nerve pain/irritation. A b12 injection makes it better, then 5 days later it creeps back in.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
b12 deficiency need advice
B12 deficiency, Acid Reflux, heartburn 
Gum recession
B12 patches
My struggle continues - Low B12 and Hashimotos
