Author Topic: Increase in Cavities with HIV? (Read 8677 times)

Maestro · « **on:** March 21, 2007, 05:14:49 pm »

My Uncle saw the dentist and he has 3 cavities. Any thoughts on this being related to HIV in any way? I tend to think the acid in the 15+ diet sodas a day he is drinking is eating away his teeth, along with his osteoporosis..

M

bear60 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2007, 05:17:42 pm »

How is his dental hygine? Does he forget to floss and brush?

Maestro · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2007, 05:44:29 pm »

Umm...er...well...I know he has an electric toothbrush! AND...he lives next door to a dentist...lol...

If I ask him about his teeth, he yells, IM FINE!

Steve

cubbybear · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2007, 05:45:10 pm »

I'm going with the 15+ sodas. HIV negative people go to the dentist every day for cavities.

aupointillimite · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2007, 05:54:09 pm »

Unless HIV starts attacking tooth enamel in the way... oh say, 15 sodas a day does... I'd blame the soda.

Andy Velez · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2007, 06:49:28 pm »

Maestro, he's quite up in years isn't he? I mean as in ....things wear out. I don't know that I would look for an HIV source for those cavities. Sounds like a not unusual happening to me. Just sayin'.....

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2007, 06:51:51 pm »

15 sodas a day is just bad on so many different levels

aupointillimite · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2007, 06:52:40 pm »

Quote from: Andy Velez on March 21, 2007, 06:49:28 pm

Maestro, he's quite up in years isn't he? I mean as in ....things wear out. I don't know that I would look for an HIV source for those cavities. Sounds like a not unusual happening to me. Just sayin'.....

Exactly... it's like someone (say, me) putting up a thread that says, "I smoke a pack a day and have emphysema... could it be HIV-related?"

Blessedly, there are some body parts where this virus gives us a wide berth to let us damage them ourselves. I think it likes for us to feel proactive like that.

Maestro · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2007, 07:31:46 pm »

Quote from: aupointillimite on March 21, 2007, 06:52:40 pm

Exactly... it's like someone (say, me) putting up a thread that says, "I smoke a pack a day and have emphysema... could it be HIV-related?"

Blessedly, there are some body parts where this virus gives us a wide berth to let us damage them ourselves. I think it likes for us to feel proactive like that.

Not even close. Tooth decay is ultimatetly caused by bacteria in your mouth and the acids they release. It's not a stretch to think that HIV would have some kind of effect in fighting off bacteria, wherever they might be.

I wasn't saying HIV causes tooth decay. I was asking if anyone with HIV noticed an increase in cavities because they are the result of bacteria munching on sugars in your mouth and producing acids that eat away the tooth. I did not ask if the HIV was attacking tooth enamel. Anyways, apparently the answer is no.

Steve

aupointillimite · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2007, 07:41:50 pm »

Quote from: Maestro on March 21, 2007, 07:31:46 pm

Not even close. Tooth decay is ultimatetly caused by bacteria in your mouth and the acids they release. It's not a stretch to think that HIV would have some kind of effect in fighting off bacteria, wherever they might be.

I wasn't saying HIV causes tooth decay. I was asking if anyone with HIV noticed an increase in cavities because they are the result of bacteria munching on sugars in your mouth and producing acids that eat away the tooth. I did not ask if the HIV was attacking tooth enamel. Anyways, apparently the answer is no.

Don't worry... I know it's not a stretch to think that at all... hell, my dentist even told me that cause I'm poz that I need to take extra-good care of my teeth (I'm already obsessed with flossing anyway)... but he also told me that proper oral hygiene would make me have no more problems with my teeth than I would otherwise.

bear60 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2007, 08:28:19 pm »

Benj
HIV dental problems usually do NOT include cavities. Yes, blame the sodas.
HIV related problems (its the drugs as well as the HIV) include bone loss and gum disease and eventual loss of the teeth. I have a friend who went to a dentist and had all of his remaining teeth extracted and the same day....all new implants put in. It makes me sick to think about what he went thru. But he looks great now...to the tune of 40,000 dollars.

bsboy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2007, 10:36:24 am »

If your uncle is on HIV meds, they have proven to cause breakdown in teath, or of course the other side .. not accusing!! but drug use will also do the same...just my 2 cents worth, ...llol

puertorico2006 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2007, 01:41:44 pm »

hehe i went to the dentist the other day and had 0 cavities :-D

but she did say my teeth were pretty filed down already and that could cause problems later on....

but i chew ice constantly and drink probably 10+ diet sodas daily so i think that could be the problem.....i think the soda eats away at the enamel on the teeth

bear60 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 24, 2007, 04:17:13 pm »

but she did say my teeth were pretty filed down already and that could cause problems later on....quote
Dude.... could be you are grinding your teeth and that you need a "night guard" to wear to protect your teeth from being ground down.

puertorico2006 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 24, 2007, 04:19:00 pm »

yea she did mention that to me so maybe i will need a night guard....but nobody has ever mentioned me grinding my teeth at night (i know if someone else does that when i sleep with them it drives me nuts lol)

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #15 on:** March 24, 2007, 04:23:34 pm »

Quote from: bsboy on March 22, 2007, 10:36:24 am

If your uncle is on HIV meds, they have proven to cause breakdown in teath, or of course the other side ..

Do you have a link to support this assertion?

link

Quote

The teeth are fully formed by the teenage years, and are not affected directly by HIV or anti-HIV medications. Reduced bone mineral density seen in people with HIV does not affect tooth enamel (the hard surface of exposed teeth), and it is unknown what affect, if any, it may have on the underlying bone that supports the teeth.

way.out.west · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2007, 02:02:43 pm »

There is evidence that soda may be the culprit. Here's an excerpt from an article in the Science section of today's (03/27/07) New York Times:

"Furthermore, some soft drinks contribute to other health problems. The American Academy of General Dentistry says that noncola carbonated beverages and canned (sweetened) iced tea harm tooth enamel, especially when consumed apart from meals. And a study of 2,500 adults in Framingham, Mass., linked cola consumption (regular and diet) to the thinning of hip bones in women."

jack · « **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2007, 03:01:54 pm »

anything in excess will fuck up your teeth but HIV does cause saliva gland problems(parotid glands) in some of us. Saliva cleans teeth. Lack of saliva can cause cavities. I brush my teeth twice a day and floss and have cavities everytime I go in. Didnt have a cavity for twenty years.

RapidRod · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2007, 03:07:57 pm »

Well, I just took my teeth out and looked at them and I don't have any cavities.

Ihavehope · « **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2007, 03:15:47 pm »

I don't think so.

tigger2376 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2007, 08:19:37 pm »

There seem to be a few conflicting thughts re this. My ID doc has said the meds CAN cause dental problems (and the fact they sugar coat a lot of them doesn't help). i've certainly had more problems since diagnosis, but that may also be due to fear/difficulty in finding a dentist, and osteoporosis
have you had your bone density checked? men get it too!
x

aupointillimite · « **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2007, 08:42:45 pm »

Quote from: tigger2376 on March 28, 2007, 08:19:37 pm

have you had your bone density checked? men get it too!
x

I had it. No joke.

I had osteoporosis.

Thank you, lactose intolerance.

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2007, 12:01:46 pm »

Quote from: tigger2376 on March 28, 2007, 08:19:37 pm

There seem to be a few conflicting thughts re this. My ID doc has said the meds CAN cause dental problems (and the fact they sugar coat a lot of them doesn't help). i've certainly had more problems since diagnosis, but that may also be due to fear/difficulty in finding a dentist, and osteoporosis
have you had your bone density checked? men get it too!
x

The question originally however was NOT "dental problems" but specifically cavities. All I've ever been warned about being more HIV related are other dental issues aside from normal cavities, the gums specifically. The gum issue is certainly in line with what I've personally experienced during my 15 years of acute infection. An increase in cavities is not.

bear60 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 29, 2007, 02:32:29 pm »

Quote Philly 267: "The question originally however was NOT "dental problems" but specifically cavities."
................................................
Thank you. Please, people, this is very important to remember. There is a big difference between osteoporosis and gum disease and "cavities".

tigger2376 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2007, 08:38:12 pm »

Sorry, too general. apologies
J
x

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