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AIDS Survival Project
• The Resource Train
Maintaining Good Dental HealthDecember 2000 This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. Contents
It is funny how these Survival News article ideas come to mind. This article was stimulated by both my visit to the dentist last Thursday (I was a bad girl. I had not been to see my dentist in over a year. BAD. BAD.) and by my friend Dr. Tom Sparkman, who started the Homecoming 2000 benefit "Tooth AID: A Month of Smiles." I decided to write on dental care because we have not had much focus on this topic. It is an important, yet overlooked part of HIV health care. A study conducted by the American Dental Association revealed that only 20% of Americans brush as frequently as their dentist recommends, while 44% floss daily, and 21% never floss. Yikes! We need to change those numbers. It is really not that difficult to keep our teeth and gums healthy. We just need to take a little time out every day. So? Why is Dental Care Important for People Living with HIV?
As I was reading, I noticed that many articles stated that mouth and throat problems are sometimes the first signs of HIV disease. I was surprised because you never hear that mentioned when we talk about "the first signs of HIV." The most common problems include: oral candidiasis, hairy leukoplakia, gingivitis, and periodontal disease, as well as dry mouth and Kaposi's Sarcoma. I will spend the rest of the article explaining the symptoms and treatment of these conditions and end with the basics of how to brush and floss. (Don't laugh -- I am not always sure I do it the correct way!)
CandidiasisThis is a common condition that occurs frequently in both the mouth and esophagus. The most common form presents itself as white patches that are found on the tongue or on the outer surfaces of the mouth. They can be large or small. Other symptoms of thrush may also include red patches on the surfaces of the mouth and tongue, or white patches that cause bleeding when removed, as well as inflamed cracks and splits in the corners of the mouth opening.There are three predominant types of candidiasis seen in the HIV+ population:
Persistent candidiasis in HIV positive folks may require therapy such as fluconazole, as well as topical therapies such as nystatin, clotrimazole and amphotericin. Ketoconazole has also been used; however, it has a history of causing side effects such as rashes, nausea and, on rare occasions, jaundice. Some research says it may be less effective. It has also proven to have some interaction problems if drugs like refampicin are being used at the same time. Some complementary therapists suggest that people with mild outbreaks can benefit from avoiding refined sugars, a source of nutrition for thrush. This means avoiding sweet or starchy foods as well as alcohol. (The Yeast Connection Handbook by Dr. William G. Crook is an excellent book to read about this subject.) Diluted tea tree oil has also been used as a mouthwash. Treatment usually lasts about two weeks. This condition may cause mouth or throat pain, or an unusual taste. It is one of the most common illnesses that people with HIV experience. Estimates suggest that more than 90% of people with HIV will have an outbreak of thrush during their HIV illness. This is because the fungal organisms that cause thrush freely live in most human mouths. Most outbreaks of thrush occur when the T-cell count has fallen bellow 400. However, episodes may also be experienced when other factors such as prolonged stress or depression are present. The use of antibiotics for long periods of time can also cause an outbreak to occur.
Hairy LeukoplakiaThis is also a common condition. It is described as white lesions on the lateral border of the tongue. Apart from its appearance, this condition is usually without symptoms. It usually responds to a variety of antiviral agents. A virus (Epstein-Barr) that is related to herpes causes it. Treatment is usually not necessary unless taste or appearance is compromised.Symptoms of Hairy Leukoplakia:
The use of acyclovir (Zovirax) will often clear up the condition as will propolis tincture. This is a product of bees that, when applied directly to the plaques, has shown some results. However, if any of these treatments are stopped, the plaques will often return.
Periodontal DiseasePeriodontal disease is often a rapidly progressive and unusually painful condition. As a matter of fact, periodontal disease has been given the status of an opportunistic illness. The most likely cause of this condition is alteration of the bacterial flora in combination with immunosuppression. The suggested way to control this disease requires conscientious oral hygiene and professional treatment. Povidon idodin irrigation may help manage the acute disease state, but antibiotics are often required for successful management. Metronidazole has been the most effective antibiotic. However, some dentists may recommend penicillin or clindamycin. In severe cases, intravenous medication may be required. This disease has been known to cause pain when chewing or brushing teeth.Symptoms of Periodontal Problems:
GingivitisGingivitis literally means inflamed gums. This is a gum disease that is caused by bacteria and dental hygiene problems. It can be treated with the use of antiseptic mouthwashes such as cholrhexidine. However, many of these have alcohol, which can cause pain. Antibiotics may also be helpful.
Dry MouthMany people with HIV report symptoms of dry mouth. Here is a list of possible causes:
If dry mouth is caused by an allergic reaction, this may be alleviated by avoiding dairy products or by taking horseradish or garlic tablets. To Get Rid of Dry Mouth:
Don't underestimate the power of your saliva. It fights bacteria. Without a good flow of saliva, the growth of bacteria, candidiasis, and tooth decay increase.
Kaposi's SarcomaHalf of people with HIV disease have been reported to have these oral lesions. Researchers have noted that the first signs of KS occur in the mouth in approximately 22% of patients. In another 45%, KS occurs in the mouth and skin simultaneously. KS may cause mouth pain or bleeding, or can be symptom-free.This condition appears as red or purple nodules on the walls of the mouth or on the tonsils. They can also be associated with pain, bleeding, and inflammation, and bulky lesions can cause interference with the normal functions of chewing or talking. The lesions may be treated in a number of ways. Surgical removal, localized radiotherapy or systemic chemotherapy are common treatments.
Questions and Answers with Dr. David A. Reznick(Information from The Body, http://www.thebody.com/cgi/oralans.html) Q: What is thrush and what causes it? What medication is used to treat thrush? A: Thrush is a common term for pseudomembranous candidiasis, which is caused by fungal organisms. The most common causative agent is Candida albicans, but our recent research has shown an increased prevalence of non-albicans species such as Candida glabrata and Candid Krusei. The difficulties these non-albicans species bring is that, for the most part, they do not respond to exiting therapies. Medications used to threat thrush are based on the extent of disease. For mild-to-moderate infections, I recommend topical therapies such as Mycelex troches. I do not recommend the use of nystatin swish and swallow due to the high glucose concentration (50%) as well as the length of time a person in expected to keep this medication in the mouth (five minutes). This is the time nystatin needs to be in contact with the candidal plaques to be effective. For moderate-to-severe bouts of thrush, I recommend Diflucan (fluconazole) which is dosed at 200 mg. on day one, then 100 mg. a day for the rest of a two-week period of time. Whether you are using a topical or systemic medication, treatment should last for at least two weeks; this helps prevent against recurrence of the infection. Q: How important is it for my dentist to know about my HIV status? A: You ask a most important question! It is my belief that oral health is an integral part of primary care; therefore, any changes in your medical history, including HIV status, should be made known to your dental care provider. Your oral health should be monitored closely as early signs of disease progression can first present in the mouth. The same can be said for a person living with many other conditions, including diabetes and cancer. Changes to the soft tissue including oral hairy leukoplakia and candidiasis can be diagnostic of increased viral load and signal a need to begin antiretroviral therapy. I believe these points are a much better reason to inform your dentist. Not all dental health care workers realize the importance of these signs and symptoms, but if made aware of your status, they may pay more attention to soft tissue exams. Now for the reality check: Whereas attitudes toward treating HIV-infected people in the dental setting have improved, there are still providers who would rather not. Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act includes access to places of public accommodation, such as dental offices, many choose not to pursue legal action when denied care. Many do not want to risk rejection in the first place, thus the reluctance to disclose HIV status. My question to you: would you want someone taking care of your present dental needs who would not if they knew your HIV status? Some Other Things to Consider Before Deciding on Your Dentist and Disclosing Your HIV Status:
Things You Can Do To Keep Your Teeth and Gums Healthy:
How Do You Brush Your Teeth?
How Do You Floss Correctly? Begin by wrapping an eighteen-inch strand around your middle fingers and hold a one-inch section tightly. Ease floss between your teeth. Clean up and down several times while curving around teeth and the gumline. Don't scrub.
Finally?
Remember, poor oral health, and problems such as abscess formation, may lead to further suppression of the immune system. So, now that you are thinking about it, pick up the phone and call your dentist to make an appointment. Keep in mind that many dentists are booked three to four months in advance, so call as soon as you put down your newsletter!
ResourcesNational ResourcesHIVdent.org The Body: An AIDS and HIV Information Resource Georgia Resources Infectious Disease Oral Health Center of Grady Health System Dr. Tom Sparkman Dr. Chip Hill Dr. Ida Lanier Dr. Bert Scannell Robert Comer This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document. This article was provided by AIDS Survival Project. It is a part of the publication Survival News.
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