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swallon gums
Jan 13, 2002

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

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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