Gum soreness

[pomeranion]

Just started having some gum soreness. Is it an indication of impending GCA?

[fmkkm]

Hi there,This is not normally a symptom of GCA, more likely a little gingivitis. Any other jaw, neck or head pain?

Maybe try a salt water

mouth rinse.

[pomeranion in reply to fmkkm]

Thank you for the quick reply. I will try the salt water mouth rinse.

[SheffieldJane]

Not typically but I think Pred goes for the teeth/ mouth health in general. It is jaw pain whilst chewing that we have to look out for.

[pomeranion in reply to SheffieldJane]

No chewing problems so far. Just a throbbing pain. Will continue to monitor for jaw, head or neck inclusion. What do you suggest if these symptoms escalate? As usual you have been very helpful.

[SheffieldJane in reply to pomeranion]

Sorry I am dipping in and out at present. I found that rubbing Sensodene toothpaste on the tender areas was helpful. If you develop the jaw symptoms you need immediate medical advice.

[123-go]

Plain yoghurt may give you some relief and salt water rinse as suggested- about a level teaspoon in a glass of warm water (sea salt is better than table salt). Your pharmacist may give you advice but your dentist or doctor should be consulted really.

[SnazzyD]

I found on Pred I had to watch my gums really carefully for inflammation and recession. Any trapped food however small could set off pain so I had to floss without fail. A single area with a throbbing pain could mean a focus of infection. My GCA pain was more in the muscle that radiated to the teeth only when I chewed, like the muscle was getting cramp.

However, the worst thing was dentine hypersensitivity which would flare up suddenly for a few minutes and a number of my teeth, sometimes all of them, would just hurt like hell at once. All I can do is just hold my face until it dies down. While on Pred it was worst and has got much better though I still have it so I can’t eat hot food without trouble and have to be careful when drinking hot liquids. I think it kicks in when the whole mouth warms up after a number of mouthfuls. Cold doesn’t do it. I found reference to steroid induced dentine hypersensitivity

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[Mrsd12f in reply to SnazzyD]

That’s interesting! I’ve had lots of trouble with tooth sensitivity and had several x-rays and scans to determine what might be causing the pain. When at the dental hospital, I queried whether prednisolone might be a factor, but was told, politely , but rather patronisingly, that it couldn’t be the steroids. Hmm ...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mrsd12f]

It COULD be the PMR - I had tooth sensitivity after the PMR symptoms started but long before I was offered pred so I know which is which. Dedicated use of Sensodyne toothpaste and pred did relieve it eventually but it took time.

[SnazzyD in reply to Mrsd12f]

Well my dentist had heard of it.

[autumnlass]

The Corsodyl range of tooth and gum products are really very good. They’re my first ‘run to’ if I have any problems with gingivitis etc. It doesn’t taste too good, but it does the job! Hope this helps.

[Janstr]

I had badly bleeding & sore gums when on higher doses of pred, & my dentist said it is a common side effect of pred. He told me to dip one if those little interdental brushes into a weak hydrogen peroxide solution & then use it between the teeth, thus putting some onto the gum. I sorry I can’t remember what solution hydrogen peroxide to use, so you will need to ask your dentist. Using the hp worked for me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janstr]

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

It is a common recommendation for oral problems - but not to be used daily ...

[Janstr in reply to PMRpro]

That’s an interesting article thank you. I used it only for a few days, as it got rid of the problem quickly