PA and the Dentist

[purpleabc]

I have found someone who understand PA ! My new dentist. I have had PA since 2015 and this is only the second person. The other was a physiotherapist whose sister had it. I broke a tooth and had to see a different partner in the practice and told her I had PA and she said " oh dear, that is difficult, the most difficult is getting a diagnosis " She asked how I had got mine. I was stunned. Apparently the subject was part of her dental exam. PA affects your mouth we know, tongue, sores etc, I didn't realise receding gums too. They can often see the signs of PA early on. Her other question she asked was how I was doing getting treatment...................I explained that so many of us have to self treat because of a lack of knowledge from Gp's etc ( including neurology, Hematology , speaking from experience) Told her about the forum and the help we get from each other and the knowledge here, a life saver literally. It all sounds so very sad when you have to put it into words . So........it is possible that maybe your dentist might be knowledgeable and tell your gp that you need more B12 if there are signs? Wishful thinking eh, or just me on a high at finding someone who knows about PA.

I wish everyone well, love to you all.

[wedgewood]

That’s good to hear . We can only hope that new medical students will get better knowledge imbued at medical school about B12 deficiency in general and pernicious anaemia in particular . It would save the NHS millions if the correct treatment were given to patients who develop serious health problems because of insufficient treatment or none at all . Thanks for that — it actually cheered me up !

[purpleabc in reply to wedgewood]

She was young and interested, so nice to see after all the neglect and abuse I would call it that we have all been through

[wedgewood in reply to purpleabc]

Yes ABUSE is the right word . .

[PlatypusProfit8077]

My podiatrist knew about PA!

I’d been seeing him for shin splints (I still don’t know if that was connected to B12D/PA) just a few weeks before I collapsed and went downhill very fast.

On a follow-up appointment, I explained a bit of what had happened and as soon as I said B12, he said “oh pernicious anaemia?” And we had a bit of a chat about it - he explained that it’s something taught to podiatrists because of the implications for foot health with the neuropathy and reduced sensation (like diabetes).

[purpleabc in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

Oh wow, now I have learned something else. I remember sitting on the bus on the way to see the gp and my feet had pins and needles, not sure if I was going to be able to walk when I stood up. Now I self inject EOD and it hasn't come back. I wish you better soon.

[GW1000 in reply to PlatypusProfit8077]

I didn't know this about foot health - or didn't put two and two together anyway. It adds another element to my suspicions of a missed diagnosis for my Dad. Sadly his podiatrist wasn't so well informed.

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to GW1000]

Interesting isn’t it? He said they also see the people who develop foot drop, which is also from B12D (I can’t remember if it is the neuropathy or from the SACD)

I’m sorry about your Dad, and that he didn’t get the care he needed

[wedgewood]

I wonder if that dentist could prescribe B12 injections if such symptoms are found . receding gums , mouth sores and swollen tongue (glossitis ) ?

[PlatypusProfit8077 in reply to wedgewood]

Don’t know about prescribing but maybe a letter to the GP recommending it?

[purpleabc in reply to wedgewood]

I will see her on the 28th, she is on holiday, but I will certainly ask. I was so shocked when I saw her that I didn't think to ask then. That would be amazing.

[wedgewood in reply to purpleabc]

I know that dentists can prescribe some drugs .Ive been prescribed anti-biotics in the past by my dentist .

[Nackapan]

Yes. I had to have saot of dental work.I asked my dentist if low B12 is detrimental to my teeth and guns.

He responded of course it is.

[Orchard33]

I've seen two dentists who understand B12D/PA in a way that doctors simply don't. Perhaps because dentists are not imprisoned by a NICE/NHS diagnosis/treatment protocol.

[Cornwaller in reply to Orchard33]

If all GPs followed the NICE protocols or the BMJ guidelines it would be a huge improvement. There are so many cases reported here where they seem to be completely ignorant about b12 and reluctant to treat it.

[Clare_oxo]

Yes receding gums is an issue with lack of b12. I’ve had a lot of dental work and I am now facing more to the extent I need implants and or dentures because of it.

[topazrat]

I've found that dentists are very knowledgable too. My present ones Mum has P.A. and she has borderline levels herself, so we had a nice chat about syptoms and needing to SI. The previous dentist referred me to the hospital, as she suspected that I had Sjogrens.

[Cherylclaire Forum Support]

We can find gems in very unexpected places - dentists, hairdressers or opticians for some, depending on specific symptoms.

For me, a senior ENT consultant - who knew exactly what B12 deficiency looked like and did not need tests to confirm this for him. He also praised my GPs report as "thorough" (not rolling eyes and calling it "lengthy") and had it with him in his drawer, but could quote from it, so had studied it. He thanked me for bringing in photos (symptoms not always present when wanted !) and agreed that saliva duct strictures would have an impact on B12 availability from food.

He told me that my self- injection regime of EOD would work - but it would take a very long time, so I must persevere with it !

People able to recognise B12 deficiency symptoms on sight can be lifesavers.

[gd66]

Glad your dentist knew about such things. I've never had that conversation with my dentist but next time I will. Dentures these days so not so much to discuss. The last couple of extractions were more painful than usual and the anaesthetic did not appear to work as well. B12D perhaps.

[B12life]

this is very insightful. Thanks for sharing. I have been having receding gums.

[JanCymru]

I can testify to dentists being far more informed about PA than any GP. My dentist monitors me very closely due to PA, and when I was experiencing difficulties in getting more jabs from the surgery due to neuropathy and decided with support from everyone on here to SI, I noted my niggling nerve pain in two teeth disappeared, exactly as my dentist predicted once she knew I was going down the SI route. Maybe we should all make our dentists aware of our PA.

[purpleabc in reply to JanCymru]

What an eye opener my post has turned out to be. Thank you.I will ask if they are able to prescribe B12 or at least be in contact with our gp's when I see her.

[JanCymru in reply to purpleabc]

Not sure if dentists can prescribe B12 here in UK, but wouldn't it be great if dentists could communicate with our GPs on this very subject? I wonder if the GPs would 'listen' and be more receptive to another medical professional?...

[helvella in reply to JanCymru]

The UK has a Dental Practitioners' Formulary. Probably not accessible outside the UK, I'm afraid. It is very limited and I couldn't see B12 on it. However, I didn't read every word, every note and follow every link!

Dental Practitioners’ Formulary

bnf.nice.org.uk/dental-prac...

[Syuri]

I have had 3 different dentists who have accused me of brushing my teeth too hard because of receding gums. I have changed from manual to sonic to dentist recommended ones and finally ultra soft children’s toothbrushes to help with the recession. I’ve explained I have PA but my dentist says there’s no link. I am so grateful for your post, it’s helped me realise, along with mouth ulcers and sore tongue, it’s all part of PA.

[purpleabc in reply to Syuri]

Other dentists have accused me of brushing too hard and l tried to change my way of cleaning and brushes like you. Bit late to know now I am 72 and had PA for almost 10 years but knowing is a relief. She told me to get an Oral B cheap electric brush with a sensitive head.

[Syuri in reply to purpleabc]

Thank you, I’ll have a look for the sensitive oral B heads.

[purpleabc in reply to Syuri]

Hope I have done this properly, I am not good on the computer..but this is the head lam using.......oralb.co.uk/en-gb/products/.... Still feels serious !

[Syuri in reply to purpleabc]

Yes, perfect. Thank you. They’re out of stock on this link so I’ll google where else to buy them now I know what they are called.