You need to log in or sign up before continuing.
 

Connect with others who understand.

  • Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  • Real advice from people who’ve been there
  • People who understand what you’re going through
Sign up Log in
Powered By
Real members of myHIVteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

How Is Your Dental Care?

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Edmore, MI

If you, or someone you know, is living with HIV/AIDS, the American Dental Association recommends that dental health care be part of all HIV/AIDS treatment plans. That’s because people living with HIV/AIDS are more susceptible to infections including dental infections, which can affect their overall health
Your mouth may be the first part of your body to be affected when infected with HIV. Because infection with HIV will weaken your immune system, this means you will be susceptible to… read more

August 4, 2020
 • 
Reactions

Answer Summary

Members responded to a question about maintaining good dental care while living with HIV/AIDS by sharing widely varied experiences, from... Read more

Members responded to a question about maintaining good dental care while living with HIV/AIDS by sharing widely varied experiences, from finding compassionate providers to being frustrated by pro bono systems that result in inconsistent care or uncomfortable treatment. Several members shared practical strategies they've found helpful, including eating Greek yogurt daily to prevent thrush, using water picks and electric toothbrushes, getting cleanings more frequently than twice a year, accessing care through Ryan White dental programs or community health centers, and openly disclosing their status to normalize the experience. A recurring theme was the importance of regular dental visits despite fear or past neglect, with many members describing their determination to take better care of their teeth after experiencing medication side effects, bone loss from treatments like Truvada or Zerit, or the consequences of delaying care too long.

A myHIVteam Member

I went yesterday, x-rays, cleaning and had a perfect visit. It's important for me to keep up on my visits not just because of my HIV, but also because of my long meth abuse history. Meth pulls the calcium from your system. That's why so many meth users lose their teeth. I'm very blessed because I only lost a couple in the back, but I was still going while i was using...still not a good idea.
Bone loss in your jaw is a major problem for meth users, and that bone loss causes gum recession which also contributes to tooth loss.
I've been clean now for 22 years. I can't stress enough the importance for good dental care. There are programs available for those that don't have insurance. Please check them out.
If you have a case worker at your HIV docs office, they are an excellent resource...use them.
God bless y'all and have a great day!!!
🌈💜💙💚💛🧡❤

August 11, 2020 (edited)
A myHIVteam Member

@A myHIVteam Member my liver stopped functioning for close to a year then it healed.... Thank God it can regenerate if only a little portion exists. I was pretty sick, I couldn't get out of bed and couldn't eat much. I slept a majority of the time

August 6, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

Way to go on the 22 years, I've been clean from meth about 17 and a half.

August 11, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

I'm just like Axelteran, so go pretty much monthly for adjustments to my dental braces, plus get my teeth cleaned twice a year along with an annual check up with x-rays. Use a water pick and Philips Sonicare electric tooth brush.

Going to the dentist is a positive painless experience for me. I'm openly gay and poz there and never get any kind of negative pushback, if anything extremely supportive of who I am ;)

Jacy

August 10, 2020
A myHIVteam Member

well I on the other hand I had a bad dental i actually had to contact the Ryan White act to have them help me get dentures. I had to have all of my teeth removed because I had very bad bone loss, I feel that's due to taking truvada for so long. Cause now a days they found truvada to be linked to ppl. With hiv/Aids of bone loss.

August 4, 2020

Related content

View All

How Do I Find Help With Housing ?

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
York, PA

I Live In Pennsylvania And I Have Had Several Teeth Pulled Already Have Several More That Have To Be Removed. I'm Looking For Implants

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭
Palmer, AK

Previous Post Research.

A myHIVteam Member asked a question 💭