Aaaaargh! Teeth problems!

[braininjurythepits]

Before I started taking Pred, I didn’t have problems with my teeth, but have had over the months a recurrence of gumboils— yesterday, after a few days of salt water treatment, to my horror, I found a back tooth was painful and was actually wobbly! Is this another side effect? Is it to do with loss of bone mass? I’m sure a visit to the dentist tomorrow will result in an extraction, anyone else had this problem, and any advice on how to prevent further deterioration? Been on mainly 10mg since Sept 2018, last 8 weeks reduced to 9mg. Thank you!

[SheffieldJane]

It is more likely to do with our age group and receding gums, tbh. Obviously, see your dentist, you may need some antibiotics and GPs don’t treat dental problems. Are you on Alendronic Acid or similar?

[braininjurythepits in reply to SheffieldJane]

No, I’m not, dexa scan was ok as far as GP was concerned, another scan in 2-3 years. Thank you for your reply, i’ll Be up early tomorrow to book appt!

[Hidden]

I had a tooth that popped out after a series of abcess/gum infections. It was a bit dodgy before. My teeth felt a bit sensitive so use a suitable toothpaste, electric toothbrush, interdental brushes and superfloss. Teeth do start shifting as we age anyway so could be part of that. Also, if we have pain or physical issues we still clench and put undue pressure on teeth.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Quite a few people have complained of tooth problems when on pred. I would be surprised if it were loss of bone from pred in 10 months. It could be gum disease problems - that is often the real cause of wobbly teeth and pred can affect the gums.

I haven't had any real problems until recently when I have had to have root treatment and a replacement inlay in a back tooth but I don't think it is due to pred as such, it was a very old filling. Unfortunately the one on the other side is complaining as well - and there's no cheap version of dentistry here in Italy!

[Megams]

~Indeed can clearly identify with you here.

I invested heavily on my teeth over the years - removal of mercury fillings + veneers at the front due to root canal.

Too many antibiotic's in earlier years caused discoloration portraying an unhealthy appearance so ceramics have given better look - magic.

I visit my English trained "Oral Hygienist" every 3 months since diagnosed PMR early 2015 - she is worth her weight in gold believing she's saved further erosion to my gums.

To my horror I have fractured my capped root canal & weighting up if implant is a safe way to go - I'm told for those immune compromised run the risk of further issues.

My back molars have parted creating gaps therefore pockets of plaque hiding in new areas (below gum line) creating gingivitis + ulcers. I use electric toothbrush - I floss & use interspace brushes. Now learning where to reach with my electric brush.

My Hygienist is now seeing me every 2 months - would not be without her. I really want to save my teeth but "things" are looking a tad grim.

Onward & upwards..............

Maybe a visit to a Hygienist on regular basis would be of benefit to you.

Goodluck ~

[Hidden in reply to Megams]

I had 3 visit to dental hospital with trainee hygenist. He was brilliant and has made a big difference to the pockets I had. Reducing everything to 1s and 0s when I had a couple of 3s. My tooth that fell out had a score of 5 in there before I got abcess and it came out. Proper use of electric toothbrush especially the heads with the plastic/rubber plaque cleaner really helps.

[ClarkB in reply to Megams]

I also see the hygienist every three months. She discovered a cyst on my upper gum, which I couldn’t see or feel.

[Megams in reply to ClarkB]

~I am of the opinion that I have saved plenty in dentist bills even though I see my Hygienist frequently.

My appointment is always 1 hour duration - she is dedicated & extremely thorough in her work, a rarity these days considering some years ago a Hygienist at another consortium gave me only a 15 minute appointment. She was merely a small cog in a big wheel of a franchise group.

When I swapped to this present Hygienist she commented (after examining me) that I obviously did not see a "Hygienist" on a regular basis. I was mortified.

Goodluck ~

[MariGrace]

I was going to write and ask about teeth - my journey has been difficult, too. One broken under the gum line, extraction, bone particles removed, etc. But now, ALL my teeth hurt and low and behold, am being treated for GCA for the first time. Started on Azathioprine plus 10mg of pred a day. The doctor upped the Imuran to 100 and I'm having relief from the tooth pain. The tooth pain started with extremely sensitive teeth to cold - out of the blue. It progressed to every tooth throbbing all the time. No sleep, etc. Last night was the first night they didn't wake me.

Have had PMR 2 +years. Started at 60 pred, and am holding at 10 right now. My doctor sees me July 10th and I'm hoping we can hold at 10 and not increase.

Am finally getting my tooth implant for the extracted tooth. My dentist is good and very caring about all this. He was not familiar with PMR. I often wonder how many have it and are not diagnosed.

Thanks for all the input. I'm grateful. MariGrace

[braininjurythepits]

Thank you all, for your very helpful advice 🙂

I’ve made an appointment today at the dentist, obviously it’s time to get this sorted out!

[Hidden in reply to braininjurythepits]

No point suffering if it can be helped. Good luck. 🌻

[jevuki]

The same thing happened to me I lost all my top teeth due to prednisone creating bone loss in my jaw. The doctor and dentist explained that it happens to some folks not all. This entire experience has left me bitter

[OutdoorsyGal in reply to jevuki]

Are you sure it was the prednisone? Fosamax has a warning about jaw bone loss, I believe. Did you take alendronic acid (sp?)?

[jevuki in reply to jevuki]

I take nothing but prednisone I have also a blood condition which adds to the party. I have my teeth cleaned every 3 months have been on that regimen for years before PMR. It just is my Achilles heel..........so to speak. Not a fun process

[Megams in reply to jevuki]

~Goodness me - so sorry to read this jevuki.

I hope you don't mind if I ask you how long it was before you knew you had serious teeth issues?

[jevuki in reply to Megams]

It only took 4 months and they all just got extremely loose and could not be saved. I have had significant jaw bone loss due to the prednisone

[Megams in reply to jevuki]

~Hmm... reading your responses to the other threads gives me insight so thank you for that.

[braininjurythepits]

I’m so sorry jevuki, that must have been so difficult for you, were you on a high dose?

[jevuki in reply to braininjurythepits]

30mg at the time

[SusanEleven]

My dentist (she’s so smart, I love her) says my recent problems have been from very old fillings, micro fractures from grinding my teeth at night, and some gum issues. Pred does not seem to have made an oral health impact. Hooray for something.

[SnazzyD]

My gums have receded whilst on Pred. I wonder if it is due to the mechanism of Pred that thins our skin. If gums recede infection can get in more easily.

Since Pred I’ve also had inexplicable general tooth pain where they just all hurt, especially in contact with heat. I didn’t get any tooth pain before GCA diagnosed.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Strange isn't it - I had tooth pain with PMR/GCA and it improved with pred. Thank goodness for Sensodyne!

[YuliK]

I have a water pik and I must admit it gets in all those nooks and crannies..it's not too expensive ...

waterpik.co.uk/oral-health/

I really advise this is a great investment to save your teeth.

YuliK 👍

🌹🌹

[Blearyeyed]

As others have said there are various reasons for the tooth problems and dental issues that many of us can suffer while taking steroids .

Have you been prescribed and are you taking a regular supplement of Calcium , Vit D ?

Do you take a daily vitamin and mineral supplement ?

These may help reduce the ongoing dental issues or loss of teeth.

For the gumboils and to stop infections that can loosen the teeth.

Use a softer toothbrush.

Mouth wash , then gentle floss , mouth wash , clean the teeth reduces food getting in softened gums .

Drink water or warm green tea ( any unsweetened flavour ) through the day and after eating .

Use green tea to gargle after meals too it helps the gum health and us a good anti oxidant.

You can use it to gargle with warm with a boil or ulcer instead of salt water to relief the pain , clean and stop the mouth getting dehydrated from the salt .

Dehydrated gums become more tender receed and are more prone to infection as well as making teeth more wobbly.

A garlic supplement can help circulation and helps the body fight infection .

[Megams in reply to Blearyeyed]

~Thanks so much Bleary just love these natural handy hints.

The NZ Journal of Natural Medicine (May-Aug 2019) has an article on horsetail herb by Sara Burrows - fascinating reading so have bought the herb to make an infusion as mouth wash/hair rinse for thinning hair/gingivitis as claims to reduce inflammation, help strengthen bones (rich in silica) amongst other claims. If taken orally as a tea suggest check with Chemist as inclined to be diuretic so may have some contraindications with some meds.

See naturalmedicine.net.nz - hope the article appears.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Megams]

Just double check with a quick internet search that it doesn't contradict with any of your medications or other health conditions first x