Dental work and ITP

I'm just curious how this works and who has gone through this. I go tomorrow to see my dentist and for a cleaning. My counts are 55k. I know that's considered safe, but I also know my counts jump around a lot. Who knows if they'll still be above 50 tomorrow. With normal counts I've always had some bleeding at dental visits, so not sure what to expect now.

I have no problems at the dentist with a count of 20

Hi Taz,
I have had a lot of work done on my teeth (replacement of amalgam fillings) over the last 10 years during which my platelet levels hovered around 30. I particularly dislike the cleaning as it seems a bit aggressive. However, I remind my dental team of the ITP & they have been very mindful & gentle - no problems.
Best wishes,
mj

I don't know that platelet counts matter much with most dental treatment. Of course an extraction would need a higher count to ensure minimum bleeding. Everything else is pretty much bloodless. I had a root canal done and found out next day that my count was 8. It was fine. Just my opinion you understand. I know nothing about dentistry.

I have had extensive dental wotk done and the dentist has always been in contact with my hema. However before cleaning he makes me take antibiotics.

If concerned then check with your hematologist - my dentist has a friend with ITP so I've never scared him and honestly have never checked if ok for him to do work [a root canal, crowns, cleanings]. The specialist who needed to cut gum & then cut bone to get to a root wanted me to have a count done and the hematologist to tell him it was ok to do the work.

Had a count done Monday for physical - count was 114k so I have no reason to be concerned now.

My new, as of January, hematologist told me she would ok brain surgery at 50k.

All of us are different, all of our doctors are different - so check with one of them if you have a concern.

Well my hematologist gave the okay, which is why I had my count yesterday. But today has been crazy. This morning before my appointment my gums were bleeding off and on for a couple of hours. I had another random gum bleeding episode a few weeks ago and they were 122.

My dentist has no idea why my gums are bleeding. It could be food getting lodged and irritating them. It could be hormones, as I'm breastfeeding. But I have no trauma or gum disease.

I'm pretty concerned about it. I have a call in to my hematologist about it all. I feel that my counts are too high to have the crazy bleeding I'm having. I will say I have no other signs that my counts are low. Maybe one small new bruise, but nothing else. So I don't know what to make of it all.

On a side note, I warned the hygienist about my platelets, she said she'd be gentle... Yeah right! I did bleed more than usual, but I think that's expected.

Taz
I get symptoms with good numbers also. Count today was 333000, and my nose is doing its little bit of blood thing and one cuticle started just a little drop of blood. So odd.

Emily,
I knew I could count on you with your symptoms and numbers not matching up Thanks! I hate having random bleeding, because then I start checking for more symptoms and worry some. Btw, I'm so glad promacta is working for you!!

Yes, Taz, we seem to be the odd birds. Fingers crossed that the promacta continues to keep the count acceptable and a bit stable. I am always worried that the good numbers are just a temporary effect or tied to the horrible Prednisone. Hoping I only have two more weeks on the Pred.

I would say if you are concerned always ask your doctor. Some doctors want numbers up and some say as long as they are above a set number it is fine. I had a doctor say well if you start to bleed stop and we can make other arrangements.

You need to know a few things! Are you a bleeder? what are your numbers? what type of dental work are you getting? Take that info to your doctor and get their recommendation!