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Living
with
Primary Immune Deficiency Dental Do's
Do let your dentist know that you have primary immune deficiency, and provide him with your primary doctor's name and number. Do check on the need for prophylactic therapy before a visit, especially if you have platelet deficiency. Some special precautions might be needed for dental surgery, extractions, persistent infections and bleeding. Do check for signs of infection that may occur with loose teeth; antibiotics may be needed. The reassuring news is that normal loss of the first teeth and replacement by the second teeth occurs uneventfully in most PI patients. Do see your dentist if infections or ulcerations develop; they can prescribe antiseptic/pain relieving mouth rinses or medications Do plan for braces if needed, orthodonture is not a problem for PI patients. This information excerpted from: |
Do
visit your dentist every six months for a check up. Good
dental hygiene is a must, because immune deficiencies can lead
to increased susceptibility to oral infections such as candidosis
(thrush), necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (a bacterial infection
of the gums previously know as trench mouth), and viral infections
such as herpes simplex virus and the Coxsackie viral strains.
In general, these infections are caused by the person being unable
to mount an adequate immune response to infecting agents.
