Dental protocol

marrianne
marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
edited 18. Sep 2012, 15:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi Everyone ,hope your all going to have a goodish day ,Just wondering about dental care after TKR and other joint replacements ,Does R/A put extra risks ,I hate takeing antibiotics for every little thing ,but its sounds rather serious this joint infection,sorry to say this but my g/p is next to useless he is just counting the days to his retirement Marrianne :)

Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Marriane
    I dont have RA so I am not sure about this, but I do know that so much infection can come from your teeth, so hopefully you can get them seen to.
    Has for your GP I had the same a couple of years ago, but I decided to look for another GP, and I found one, he isn't perfect who is, but he gets the job done, you deserve better than the treatment he is giving.
    I do wish you well with your treatment, and hope the infection clears up very soon, you take care and let us know how you are getting on xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've had replacement joints for over 30 years, marrianne, and no-one mentioned danger of infection until after my knee revision. Even then it was only when I asked about resuming riding again and I was told it was an ongoing risk not so much because of the prosthesis as such but because it was now such a long one.

    It make sense not to take any unnecessary risks (I stopped riding), look after your teeth and have regular dental check-ups but I've never done more than that.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara and Sticky ,Yes you both make really good points,Barbara your right its hopeless when your G/P is not up to speed ,yes he is a very nice person but thats not really the point ,definately will look to change practicesif the new doctor is as bad ,I havent actually got joint infection but I do know ITs time for scale and polish and a filling your right about teeth Barbara I dont need any more extractions .Sticky you know your right about the antibiotics even R/A people should manenage to cope with fillings etc ...sometimes I wonder if the protocol is more worried about hygeine practices in our health services and dental practices than our probs any way shall cross the bridge when I come to it .Marrianne :)
  • diamond
    diamond Member Posts: 396
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Marriane,I had a tooth extraction two weeks ago and asked dentist for antibiotics.I had phoned Arthoplasty clinic for advice as i had tkr end of April.I was advised as both my tkr's are under a year old better to be safe and take them.Last extraction couple years back was a nightmare got dry socket and infection.Only took 5 day course glad to say no problems this time.My dentist told me that guidelines keep changing regarding giving antibiotics after replacement surgery.If it had just been scale and polish or a small filling i would not have bothered.x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just a thought - always make sure your dentist knows what meds you're on. It's all to easy to change something and then, when the dental appointment comes round 3 months later, forget to mention it.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Really good advise Diamond ,will go with that ,any thing above a filling risk the antibiotics ,anyways it will be a year before I go again Sticky your right in that one definately going to keep dentist informed of meds ,Sticky also mannaged to get my appointment for monitoring this thursday after 4 phone calls leaveing messages thanks to all for advise.Marrianne :)
  • Soretoe2
    Soretoe2 Member Posts: 198
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi marrianne,
    I have anti-biotic cover for any dental work I have done and have done for many years. It is not only because of the RA though but due to a heart condition I have.
    My dentist dishes out the prescription though, not my gp.
    RA does make us more suseptible to infection and recent surgery/illness/flare ups make us even more vulnerable as well.
    If your disinterested gp won't precribe them for you, your dentist probably will.
    As the others have said change your gp, if your new gp says it's a good idea to have cover for the dentist then you can go ahead without feeling confused and fed up.
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Soretoe, you have given me something to consider to ,my dentist is very good ,and I am pretty certain I mentioned something about it just before the operation and he seemed up to speed ,but I wanted to know how everyone else felt about it especially with the auto immune illness es ,I hope you are well at the moment to ,We do have to take a fair lot on board ,Thanks again Soretoe and hope its not at the moment .Marrianne :)
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    We do have to be alert with dentists. My current one is great and checks my meds every time. My previous one, who retired, was a really nice guy but hardly ever asked and once gave me some antibios I was fairly sure I shouldn't take with meth. The nearest chemist said it was OK. I still felt uneasy but my own chemist, where I get my prescriptions, was closed so I went to the local A&E where they said I mustn't take those with meth :roll:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Sticky will be very carefull and check everything out ,Leflunomide seems to fox a few people even a consultant at the knee clinic asked his registrar was it a new drug ........ admittedly he was orthopedic side of things but even so . :roll: I coMarrianneuldnt get on with the meth or sulp and I have bad eye sight so the hydrox,,,,e s/p I refused I read up on Leflunomide while in hospital ,and it seemed the best of a bad bunch but I know these drugs can have adverse effects when taken with other things ,so I had better write it out get the spelling right to ,sorry about my typo need an eye test but no worry with that one missed out on a free contact lens and eye test yesterday expired but with the knee it just passed me by never mind everyday it gets a little better hope you are well to .Marrianne :)
  • LignumVitae
    LignumVitae Member Posts: 1,972
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Everyday will keep getting better Marrianne! I hope you are doing well. My dentist is very careful and checks my drugs every time. Big hugs n love, LV xx
    Hey little fighter, things will get brighter
  • marrianne
    marrianne Member Posts: 1,161
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks LV, much appreciated ,Your news yesterday was brilliant ,makes it all worthwhile .hope you getting loads of rest and treats ,Now s the time I think you can get some good dental care all through Marrianne :) xx