Now I have periodontal disease

My parents booked me in with their dentist after I had a literal panic attack about my teeth a few weeks ago. Today I saw the hygienist. She was very good. Unlike anyone on the NHS she explained in detail what the problem was without needing to be interrogated about it. Apparently my teeth are in an even worse state than I thought they were. She said that my immune system was failing to clear the bacteria away, and they were getting deep into the gums and eroding the bone which holds the tooth in place.

Does the immune system failing to clear bad bacteria away ring a bell with anyone else? You got it: that sh!t happens in Crohn's too, only much further down the gut. The problems with my gums all started a few years ago, when I was on a variety of immune system-bashing meds: steroids, biologics, etc. The gum at the bottom of my two front two teeth started receding - every time I saw the NHS dentist she brushed away my worries with 'it's fine'. But it wasn't fine. The erosion has got considerably worse and it's borderline whether those particular teeth can be saved now.

My bottom front teeth are the worst affected, but there is apparently bone loss with some of my back teeth as well. The hygienist said there was nothing wrong with my actual teeth - I'd done a good job of brushing them. The problem was all in the gums.

I swear it's the steroids - and possibly Remicade/Humira/methotrexate on top, like a particularly grisly form of cherry on the icing - which kick-started this whole thing off. God knows what will become of my teeth in the future: I can barely afford private check-ups, let alone private treatment.

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that...it really sucks and it probably was all the steroids and immunosuppressants. What happens now? What do they need to do for you and how much does it cost? Does the NHS provide dental care?

I had no dental issues prior to my diagnosis but have had several issues after long term pared and an ancess while on Hunira where my bone could not heal. No dentist ever listens to me or offers alternative options. I have started using 2 products that have greatly helped me. One I found in my own the other recommender by a frien who is a recent dental school graduate who is more open to different treaments besides, brush, floss see the dentist!

First I started taking Ethical Nutrients Bone Builder with MCHC. Google MCHC and dental health or bone health!! It is Microcrystaline Hydroxyapatite Concentrate.

Second is what my friend recommended. MI Paste. It is a calcium phosphate treatment I put on my teeth nightly. Helpful for people with decay and dry mouth, bacteria near gum line and pain/ sensitivity.

My mouth isn't perfect but this helped repair my bone loss where I had the abcess and my painful sensitive teeth. Some dentists sell the Mi paste in office as it is a dental product they can order but lots of dentists still see it as more of a wholistic approach and don't use.

Sorry for the long post I just feel your pain. My mouth issues after each bad flare and prednisone use were really upsetting to me.

I'm right there with you. The last two years I've lost 3 molars, I don't even know how many fillings. Maybe 30? I just had some fillings and a tooth pulled in January of this year. So when another tooth started hurting last month I was pretty upset. Just found out last week that I need another crown, and a whole bunch more fillings. I can't afford my mouth anymore. I go next week for the crown and 3 fillings. I have serious anxiety with the dentist too, so this just sucks.

My gums were in better shape this time then last. I'm using a water pick to "floss" with. They also just started me on a prescription strength toothpaste. Hoping that helps. I'm ready just have them all ripped out.

I'm sure the flossing will really help. A lot of gum disease is thankfully reversible, just not the darn bone loss once it gets to that point. I had great teeth and gums before Crohn's. I only had one cavity as a kid. I have no doubt the medications (steroids), vitamin deficiencies, and just the Crohn's itself ruined them.

Yes a water pic will go a long way towards saving the gums and teeth.

Huge improvement, in fact.

Also use an electric toothbrush.

As explained to me, the bacteria and biofilm build up, the immune system cant clear it.

So the gums shrink to get away from the bacteria.

Problem is as they shrink, more food is left in the space for bacteria, then you get a destructive

cycle.

Old Mike

Yes it really works.

My gum pockets went from 5-7 range down to 2-3 range in most teeth.

If your really bad off, extra brushing, floss and water pic.

You really need to stop the progression before it is too late.

Also I am on a 4 month cleaning schedule at the dentist, as opposed to 6 month.

This is the one I use.

Old Mike

https://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/products/dental-water-flosser/WP-100/

 

Get your blood levels of vit D checked. Even though you are skeptical about it helping your CD, surely you must know that it strengthens bones, including jawbone and your teeth.

I just use water

All the hygienists here rave over the Waterpik. It does help since I'm a lousy flosser.

So yesterday I went to get my crown on, after he got out all the decay and started shaping the tooth, he hit a spot and I went through the roof! I had to get a root canal treatment done. I can't tell you how painful that was. I don't think it was his fault, it was just a badly messed up tooth I guess. Thankfully he was able to keep giving more Novocain every time I felt it. I was in that chair for 3 hours! I feel like a bus hit me today. I'm done with teeth!

I just use water,putting mouthwash into it might result in premature wear on the pump seals.
If it gets clogged with hard water deposits, you can run some vinegar through it and let it sit to dissolve
the deposits.
It really really works, just don't start out with too high of a power, you will be spitting blood.
Old Mike

I LOVE rainy/dark/cloudy days!! I find them comforting for some reason.

Update time:

Had another visit to the hygienist today. Was absolutely amazed when she said she couldn't believe how much better my mouth was. I thought my teeth were about the same because they don't really look any different. But no, apparently the gums are miles better and virtually all the pockets have gone. Even the cleaning was the most painless one I've ever had.

I did ask her about the Waterpik, but she wasn't enthusiastic. Said that flossing and using those little stick thingies were better.

I have to say I do spend about 15 minutes brushing my teeth and flossing/using the stick thingies afterwards. It's excruciatingly boring and I can only bring myself to do it once a day at most. I do brush my teeth twice a day, but the second brushing is usually a lot quicker. Anyway, it's obvious that the time spent is worth it, so I'm more motivated to carry on now.

bstiggy said...
What are the signs of periodontal disease if you don't mind me asking?

Well, in my case the only real sign was receding and inflamed gums. Bleeding is often the first sign of gum disease but I never had that for some reason. If you suspect you have it you ought to get it checked out by a dentist.

Edit: Hey guys, next time your dentist doesn't believe your Crohn's has anything to do with your teeth, show them this link.

/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodontitis_as_a_manifestation_of_systemic_disease

Post Edited (NiceCupOfTea) : 1/12/2016 1:07:08 PM (GMT-7)