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Dear Dr. I am having trouble with my gums being puffy do you think that is due to me taking kaletra or combivir for my hiv problem
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Response from Dr. Reznik
People living with HIV disease, even when on HAART, can experience periodontal (gum) problems. As a matter of fact, people who are HIV positive can present with what one of the dental hygienists I work with refers to as garden-variety gingivitis, which is what we see in the HIV negative population. I personally do not believe the HIV-related periodontal disease is related to antiretroviral therapy, but rather to viral load and CD4 count.
My advice: please visit your dentist for periodontal therapy, which may just involve a thorough cleaning or cleaning under local anesthesia. Mouthrinses which contain 0.12% chlorhexidine, such as PerioGard, are very helpful in reducing the organisms which lead to periodontitis.
Take care,
DR
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Response from Dr. Reznik
