teeth

Public Archive
1

Does anyone know if taking Arimidex affects the strength of your teeth? I’ve broken two in the last week. x

2

Hi Chalee

Don’t know the answer to your question, but I’m on Tamoxifen and having similar problem with my teeth. I was wondering if it was the after effects of chemo. I finished my last at the end of March 09. I went to the dentist last week because a crown had come loose and there was an abscess under it. Had the rest checked out at the same time. All fine, now this morning the back has broken off one of the others. Don’t know what’s happening!!!

Take care

Jackie

3

Dont know the answer to this one, but i am on epi cmf and my teeth are now bright white, were a little creamy shade before, look like a n x factor judge, not that happy though coz to me that says the chemo is doing something, i already have a mouth full of bridges and fillings, will watch out for breakages

take care xx

4

chalee

I know that aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex have a side effect of thinning the bones, due to the loss of calcium caused by the reduction in oestrogen and that a good calcium diet is required. I haven’t heard that it also weakens teeth through loss of calcium, though.

However, I find that when I am very stressed, I clench and grind my teeth in my sleep and have broken fillings that way. Maybe, that is what you are doing.

Ann x

5

Reading the side effects of Arimidex - there can be a thinning of the bones - which would also effect the teeth. My dentist informed me
that rather than any treatment being led by him (which is nornmal) he would now have to take advice from my consultant. I visit him every three months for check ups and so far there has been an improvement
in the gums etc. Which can only be good news.

Rossco

6

I have just switched dentists, and three weeks ago had a very thorough examination/consultation with my new dentist. In the knowledge that I’d had chemo (last treatment September 2007) he checked the x-rays carefully and said I had come out surprisingly well because chemo can affect the bone (i.e. jaw) which would then, in turn, affect the teeth themselves.

I was briefly on Arimidex earlier this year, but the side effects were just so horrendous I am back on Tamoxifen. Interestingly, during my time on Arimidex my hair and nails both suffered, but back on Tamoxifen both have improved 100%.

Oh the joys of BC … not.