Why do need to tell my dentist that I have PBC?

[Abigail53]

What is the reason behind telling the dentist we have PBC? My first visit since diagnosis is coming up soon and if my dentist responds with "So why are you telling me this?", I'd like to know how to respond!

Thanks - Abigail53

[Hidden]

I think it has something to do with drugs he may give you as some contain aspirin. Well thats what i was told, but would be nice to know anything different. oh just a thought is it about blood clotting as well, just an idea.

[teddybear7]

No it's so he doesn't give you drugs that we can't tolerate.

[DeeSree in reply to teddybear7]

What are those drugs we can't tolerate? what filters through the liver? I get so confused about these things. I know I can not take aspirin or Ibuprofens or any anti inflammatory drug due to allergic reactions.

[teddybear7]

Sorry I meant yes whoops.

[Abigail53]

Thank you all for responding!

[IOW-gal]

A good dentist will always ask if you are on medication. I told mine I had PBC and was on Ursodeoxycolic Acid only I was due for an extraction. He wouldn't do this until I had spoken to my consultant only he was worried that what I was taking might affect my clotting abilities. I am just glad that no one was taking chances with my health! All was good in the end and now I am minus a tooth!!!!

[GrittyReads]

Yes, you are asked to declare a brief medical history when you join a dental practice, and they are particularly interested in any medication. My dentist asks every time if anything has changed, especially medication. The main concern is drugs, and the possibilities that dental drugs or treatment can interact negatively with our medication. My friend was taking something for osteoporosis, which was clearly on her dental records, but her dentist did some treatment/medication that is taboo for someone in her situation, she didn't realise until later.

[DeeSree in reply to GrittyReads]

I was told over a year ago I needed to take the osteoporosis drug, I was super afraid to take it but did so for about a month and had horrible throat burning and was scared so I quit. Then a year later my doctor said, you need to take the shot then. I agreed until I found out that is wasn't just a shot once a year it was a 20 minute infusion which freaked me out. I refused until after another dexa scan was done to see if there were any changes in my osteoporosis. Meanwhile went to the dentist and she told me I needed to have my wisdom teeth pulled after never needing them pulled for over 40 years but now due to 8 cavities which would be cheaper to pull than try to fill. When I told her I was told to take the infusion she said, I told my own mother not to take that. It can cause bad necrosis of the jaw and I can't do dental work if you take that. Meanwhile I have no idea what to do about my teeth. I have only had 5 fillings in my life now 8 all at once and I wonder if it has anything to do with the meds for PBC. Any others had issues with this. I am scared about the Osteoporosis but more worried about the side effects of those drugs with my PBC drugs. Any suggestions

[Hidden in reply to DeeSree]

You need to get the doctor who is treating you for PBC to evaluate all of this for you. That doctor knows your medical history well & can give guidance on what you should do.

[Hidden]

My dentist asks me every time if I have anything that has changed since I told him I was diagnosed with PBC Dec 2010. The reason being is due to the fact that dentists can write certain prescriptions out.

I am fortunate that my dentist I had been going to for a few years prior to 2010 actually did put PBC up into his computer when I informed him I had PBC. He even agreed with me a couple months ago on a check-up when for some strange reason everyone was having x-rays done and I refused due to it being routine as I don't want to expose myself to something unnecessary now.

Since I was diagnosed with PBC I have had a filling done and the year I was having blood check after blood check due to itching and fatigue, I had a tooth extraction, all without any problems. I know currently my blood clotting is good as it always had been checked out due to attending ENT on/off for a couple yrs up to last year.

[Hidden]

Its to do with not being able to process fats in the liver. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin and can only be absorbed along with calcium. People with pbc have problems with thinning bones and are more prone to teeth problems. Both bones and teeth requiring Vitamin D and Calcium. A good dentist should understand that any liver disease will effect calcium absorption. And of course, you should always tell a dentist if you take any medication.

[Abigail53 in reply to Hidden]

That makes sense. Thanks for replying.