Does anybody know of a pamphlet or article specifically focused on mouth/tooth issues and hypogammaglobulinemia? I have major problems in my mouth and I try to explain my diagnosis to my dentist, but I think it would be helpful if he had something to put in my chart.

Also, does it make sense that the failure to fight infection leads to a failure to make inflammation, which would make it harder for a dentist to actually see by eyeballing when there is infection in the gums or around a tooth? I've had chronic mouth pain that goes away on antibiotics then comes back when I stop them. I've had it for four years now and, aside from a recent problem with root resorption in a tooth in that general area (a problem that is caused by chronic inflammation, but not necessarily infection), there has been no overt sign of infection in that area. I also have a pretty much chronic low grade fever and rash that goes away on antibiotics then comes back. I've had six IVIGs and they've helped a lot, but they haven't helped this (in fact the fever started with the IVIG - like the gamma globulin is causing my body to try to fight the infection, which is causing the fever?)

Suggestions? Thank you.

Hi,

I haven't been officially diagnosed with CVID but I think I have it, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but I still think my experience can help you.

Dentists have never, ever been able to see infection on an x-ray with me (with one exception) even when I obviously have an infected tooth. They have always treated me based on symptoms, not x-rays, and this has worked.

Last year I had a tooth that kept bothering me but the dentist said it was fine. I subsequently got so ill I could hardly even lift my head off the pillow. I went to a new dentist that used a digital x-ray machine that could blow up x-rays to many times their original size. This dentist could see drainage around the tooth. I had the tooth extracted, and within a week, I was so much better, I was out in my yard doing yard work. I am still ill, but to a much lesser extent. YMMV.

I don't go to dentists often, but when I do I always am required (because of CVID) to take antibiotics BEFORE ANY procedure.

Lori