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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/22/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Is there anything I should know about or avoid while going for a cleaning and inspection? I started my first flare this time last year just after a visit to the dentist and wonder if it was related.
Thanks, Chris
Posted 11/22/2010 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
My dental office is aware of my UC but to my knowledge they have not done anything differently. Maybe some meds, such as steroids, could change the look of the gums...?

I first pursued diagnosis of my UC because of a dental checkup. I'd had persistent sores in my mouth, and the dentist told me those could be cause by a long-term, low-grade inflammation or inflection elsewhere in the body - so I went to my PCP who asked the right questions (I was terrified to say much, thought I was dying because of the bleeding) and dxed me within about 10 minutes - she was locally famous for her crackjacks diagnostic skills.
Posted 11/23/2010 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks songlady. It sounds like had some luck getting dxed early. It didn't take too long for me either. First GP visit I was told and treated for a intestinal bug. The meds done nothing. Suffering I made a second visit and he said sounds like it may be UC and started treating with meds while I waited for test results and an appointment with my GI. My first visit with him it was confirmed and he put me on asacol and salofalk which helped me alot. about 3 or 4 months from my first GP visit. At least 2 of those months I was down and out. Stuck home pooping, cramps like crazy, dropping weight, and sleeping. I thought I might be dying also. My family is cursed by cancer. I consider my self lucky so far. I'm not perfect now but I seldom miss work and I'm not stuck to the throne.
Chris
Posted 11/23/2010 1:08 AM (GMT 0)

McGut:

There is nothing you should say or do in visiting your dentist for treamtment, whether it be for a check up or for actual treatment.  Yes by all means communicate with your dentist and update your medical hx when there bur from our perspective it has very little impact on what we do.  The only real time it can have an impact is when we prescribe antibiotics for a dental infection, as we all know it can mess up the GI tract.  However for all intensive purposes don't worry about your colitis when visiting the dentist.  As far as diagnosing colitis from the mouth, I have never heard of this.  In my 5 years of dental training I never came across dx a patient or helping to dx a patient with UC by looking at the oral cavity.  We covered it in pathology but that's about it.

MyUC

Posted 11/23/2010 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information.
Chris
Posted 11/24/2010 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I would be careful at the dentist as follows

I had already not been feeling well for a period of 6-12 months prior to my dental visit, nearest I can remember, however it was within a month of a dental appointment that I landed in the ER with ulcerative colitis.

The HYGENIST had inject "Arrestin" antibiotic (minocyclin?) into my gums due to "pockets" in the gums. My GI kind of thinks that precipitated my case also.

I have been to the dentist many times, my teeth tend to demineralize around the gumline, whether or not related to UC I do not know enough to tell. My only worry so far is if they try to offer you antibiotics, make sure it's a trade off you are willing to take and take the time to read up online etc and ask questions.

Hope this helps
Posted 11/24/2010 9:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thank You.
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