Have you been properly instructed as to your oral care during your tx?

[almostsixty]

I finished triple tx about 2 weeks ago. Through out tx I was getting sores in my mouth and in  the corners of my mouth. My gasto told me they were a side effect of tx and not caused by stress or herpes. Last week I had my 6 month check up with the dentist. The hygienist informed me that these sores are a common side effect of tx and caused by dry mouth. She informed my that all through tx I should have been treating this dry mouth as it created an unhealthy environment for your teeth and will cause decay. My gastor never told me to treat this as if I had I would not have been getting all the sores and the resulting $5000 of dental work I now need. Biotene spray and mouthwash are both good. There is rx toothpaste and mouthwash that will slow down decay, and even a treatment tab that stays in your mouth all night. One night I woke up and my cheeks were stuck to my teeth resulting in the skin pulling off the inside of my cheeks. Very painful. This could have all been avoided had I been properly educated on oral care during tx. I hope this helps someone get through tx without mouth sores and tooth decay.

[patra_]

Dwbh1:  Thank you for that information!  I told my husband about the water pik and he asked me to get him one, too as he has dental problems and has to be so careful.

N:I also really appreciate the Oral Seven tip.  I will look into that, too.  

All:  I called my dentist's office (he's a really good dentist).  They had no info but doc is going to research it.  Said they wanted to know, too.

Pat

[almostsixty]

Thanks for the tip on Oral 7. My mouth is still very dry but since changing my routine I do not get the sores anymore. I can only hope that I am creating a healthier environment for my teeth.

[nzkiwilife]

It was only through the posts on this site that I learned about products to keep my mouth protected and moist during tx. Otherwise I would have for sure got the ulcers and tooth decay etc. A couple of times I forgot to take the products and the ulcers appeared overnight.
btw; i don't know about in the U.S, but here, the formulation for Biotene has changed - it does not contain the natural enzymes that protect your teeth from decay anymore! It's just sweetners etc.
I now (10 months post eot) use Oral 7 which does have the natural enzymes.
Yes, I still have a dry mouth after all this time.!

[timothy141]

Always loved water picks. They are great, I would also like to stress the point of water....drink lots of water. I do not know much about the new drugs but the interferon/ ribavirin comb dried me out horribly. And I tried to drink at least a gallon a day.

[dontworry_behappy1]

After a chemotherapy experience and losing a tooth....This time I took extra care of my teeth while treating hep c.   I used a water pick once a day during treatment to keep my mouth extra clean.  Then used biotene mouthwash at night.  Always had a bottle of water with me.  I walked away from treatment with no damage to my teeth.   My dentist asked me how I did it..... the water pick.

Brushing your teeth to hard while on treatment has adverse effect.  The water pick seemed to be the saving factor.

[patra_]

Oops! I meant to say treatment (Tx) every place I put Rx in the previous post.  

[patra_]

I will begin treatment on Friday (6th), so your information is really timely!  Thanks.  

Everyone:
I have been making note of all the tips everyone has shared and hope that makes my tx experience easier.   It is a blessing that you all share.  It may not have been easy for the trailblazers in Rx, but all that you pass on makes it better for us - and I believe these tips make the Rx more effective, and I hope, more successful.  Please keep the info coming.  Pat

[timothy141]

This is good information and I would only add as witness, tomorrow I go into have my last upper 6 teeth pulled and get an upper plate as well as lower partial that snaps into place over my remaining 5 good teeth. All of this after 48 weeks of interferon and ribavirin. I had problems with my teeth before treatment but the plan was to fix them afterwards....after treatment fixing them was not an option. So tomorrow I will have a new but manufactured smile. Yes on and off treatment we need to take care of our dental hygiene. And no my Dr.s never mentioned anything about different methods or needs of protecting my teeth.

[Livelife777]

Good to know.    Unfortunately Drs are so overloaded and often careless, and we as trusting patients get the short end of the stick.  Have seen or read often,  how important information is disregarded and we then must suffer the consequences.   Sorry you had to find this out the hard way.         ..Kim

[hepc4Sandi]

Thank you for sharing this important advice, paying it forward! I wish I had known this before I had started—and completed Tx.