Dental work while on Reclast

Dear Lori, I am so sorry that I was MIA yesterday ! My hip became so painful that I spent the last few days seeking an orthopedic surgeon and getting x-rays. I hope to catch up with your last post ! Thank you for all of the information. No new issues with my dentures. I'm just taking things slow. No adhesives yet and still only soft food. Thanks for being here for me ! Holly

I hope you feel better soon, Holly! You have to stop that crazy dancing…💃 LOL.

@hlp123 Hello Holly,

I've been following your conversations with Lori (@loribmt) for a few days now and decided to jump in. I hope you and Lori don't mind😊

I've worn partials and then a full upper denture for many years and maybe I can offer a bit of advice. First of all, it is important to take your denture out and let your gums rest. It is usually a good idea to do this at night. You can use this time to soak your denture in a good cleansing solution. The one that I've found is the best is Polident Overnight Whitening Denture Cleanser Tablets. I get them from Amazon, and it costs less than six dollars for 120 tablets. Here is the Amazon link, if you would like to look at the product. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007LKGOUC?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
You mentioned about biting the inside of your cheek. You really need to mention this to your dentist as this is something that can be adjusted by your dentist. Also, please mention any sore spots. I used to think that I just needed to get used to it, but I discovered that there are adjustments that can be made for all of these problems and there is no need to suffer with sore spots or other problems.

I'm now in the process of getting used to a lower partial so I'm way too experienced in this area. Take care and let me know if I can answer any other questions you have as you adjust to the denture.

Welcome,
Of course I welcome any advice or suggestions from you. Experience is the best teacher and I am certainly new at the denture journey !
Isn't Lori amazing ?
Thank you, for your input and please feel free to jump in anytime !
Good luck with your lower partial,
Holly

Dear Lori,
I am so grateful that you shared your experience and journey to restore your health. I am so lucky to have you share your expertise and to guide me through this journey of mine. What you have been through is an amazing story of courage and patience! You are so very special. My painful joints and new dentures are nothing compared to what you have been through.
No new issues with my dentures today. I promise to heed your advice and address any sore areas. Thank you for all you do !!!!! I will keep you updated.
Happy Fourth of July
Holly

Dear Lori, I can not believe how fast the Summer is passing. I have been very preoccupied with trying to find some answer to address my hip pain, with x-rays and doctors apts. It appears that as is the case with my shoulders, that the only answer is to have the joint replaced.
I am wearing my denture during the day and the only issue is that sometimes when I drink something the denture becomes loose enough that it would actually fall out, if I was not careful. I am reluctant to use adhesive at this time so I am just careful. It is comfortable when in place. I do have what feels like a sharp splinter pocking through the gum in front. Could this be a sliver of bone? The last time I had an extraction, I got these slivers and they eventually worked their way out through the gum. However there was nothing blocking them. Now the denture is covering this area so I am wondering if it will be able to work its way out through the gum. I did ask the oral surgeon what I should do if I get these splinters after this extraction and he said don't worry about it. They will come out. I can just feel the point of the splinter with my tongue, at this time. It feels as though it is not protruding any further as time goes bye.
Lori, I am so very happy that you are well and that you are willing to be a mentor. The courage you have displayed through your journey is so inspiring. I am so grateful that you shared your story ! I will hold your " favorite quote-life motto" close to my heart. I will always remember your wisdom ---"The only two things we really have control over are our effort and our attitude" You are the personification of encouragement, support and hope ! I treasure my notebook of "Lori's Wisdom". I will keep you updated.
Holly

Hi Holly! You’re so right about summer zipping past quickly! Can’t believe it’s the end of July already! At least our weather in WI has settled down. We had huge storms with several inches of rain within a short time. There were kids kayaking down our street!

I’m happy to hear you’re adapting to the denture. But I really have to ask why you’re reluctant to apply any adhesive. It should help greatly with the fit of the denture while your bone and tissue are healing. It won’t interfere with anything

As you’ve already suspected, you might have a small bone sliver working its way to the surface. Check in with your dentist at some point. They can often just take a little instrument and help that out of the way. It’s better than letting it sit there and be an irritant…think “sliver in your finger”. You can still wear your dentures until that gets taken care of and actually adding a little adhesive can cushion any discomfort you’re feeling from the pressure of the denture on that spot for now.

Oh golly, you’re always so gracious with your appreciation. I try to be encouraging and helpful, so I am really heart- warmed that I’ve been able bring peace of mind and a level of comfort to your decision making. Not sure I’m right up there with the likes of Ben Franklin or more likely, Hints from Heloise but I like your notebook of Lori’s Wisdom…your personal copy. 😅
I’m so sorry you’re still having all that hip pain. This has not been your summer! I know surgery isn’t your favorite option but maybe it’s time…le sigh. Sending a hug. Lori

@hopeful33250

Hi Teresa,

I love the way you come into conversions with your wisdom! These bits of knowledge can make such a difference in the lives of others and I want you to know it's appreciated. I'm not dealing with dentures, I'm dealing with a husband who needs 18 teeth repaired (they can do them with fillings) and one crown. Work we'll have done over the next couple of months while he's on Forteo and before he gets on Reclast. I don't want to be dealing with dental issues at that point. My theory is it's best to get it dealt with now. (He's resisted the dentist for years is the reason for his tooth issues - some have broken down due to chewing tobacco.) Anyway, the thought had gone through my mind about dentures or partials and this info would have been useful. Like when you suggest they don't just suffer through the pain when minor adjustments can be made. So thank you!

Isabelle

@isabelle7

Thank you for your kind words, Isabelle! I am sorry to hear about your husband's dental problems as well as osteoporosis. That is a difficult situation for sure.

You mentioned that he wants to get his dental work accomplished prior to starting Reclast. I'm just wondering how long he has been treated for osteoporosis. My dad had osteoporosis as well (as do I), and I understand that it is a less common disorder with men, but many still do get it. Is there a history of osteoporosis in his family?

@hopeful33250

You're very welcome!

My husband has steroid-induced osteoporosis, something we had never heard of until I saw he had a spinal fracture on an x-ray with no injury we could remember.

He was diagnosed with PMR (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) in 5/2023 and then with GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) in 2/2024. With PMR, he was put on 30 mg prednisone, and by the time he was diagnosed with GCA, he had tapered down to 12.5 mg. When he developed GCA it became very serious and he was admitted to the hospital where they did 3 days of 1200 mg methylprednisolone. That's a lot of steroids but it was the only thing that would save him from losing his sight, having a stroke, aneurysm, heart attack etc etc So we didn't hesitate. We really had no other choice.

He was then put on 80 mg of daily prednisone in 2/2024 and is now tapering (with the help of a weekly injection Actemra) and is now down to 15 mg.

But all the prednisone caught up with him. The sad story is doctors should discuss the bone issue with patients when they put them on prednisone, anything over 7.5 mg and some studies say even as low as 2.5 mg per day. They didn't tell us of the possibility he would develop osteoporosis. Once I saw the fracture I raised concerns and it took a while but I was able to finally get him a bone scan. It revealed he had -3.4 t-score on his lumbar spine. He had new back pain a couple months ago so I insisted on another x-ray which showed two more fractures. Since learning of the two new fractures, one likely caused by emptying the dishwasher, they have limited him to lifting no more than 5 pounds and no bending. Which has really restricted his life in ways we didn't expect. I had to fight for it but I managed to get him on the best drug for steroid-induced osteoporosis - Forteo. So we're doing daily injections that started on Monday and are hopeful it will help rebuild bone. Then after two years he'll go on Reclast. We are wanting to get the dental work done before the Reclast.

That was a long answer to your question. LOL For him it's not hereditary, it's from steroid use. Has your dad ever used steroids? For any length of time? There are other drugs that can also cause osteoporosis in people, including men.

Here's a list I found online:

Many drugs can affect bone metabolism and increase the risk of osteoporosis, including:

Glucocorticoids
Prednisone and methylprednisolone are examples of glucocorticoids that are commonly associated with drug-induced osteoporosis. Patients taking glucocorticoids should take the smallest dose for the shortest time possible.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro) may weaken bones, especially with long-term use or if you take multiple medications that affect serotonin.

Diuretics
Diuretics can reduce bone mineral density in the hip.

Progestins
Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is a progestin preparation that's often linked to bone loss.

Other drugs that can increase the risk of osteoporosis include:
Heparin
Warfarin
Cyclosporine
Methotrexate
Loop diuretics
Excess thyroid supplementation
Aluminum-containing antacids
Lithium
Hormone blockers