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Hepatitis C Main Forums => On Hepatitis C Treatment => Topic started by: FutureThinker on May 04, 2016, 11:44:02 am

Title: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 04, 2016, 11:44:02 am
I'm going to ask this on 2 threads, here and in the post-treatment category:

Is anyone noticing less dental tartar buildup while being treated with Harvoni...... or any of the other DAAs for that matter?  I noticed after several weeks on treatment that there seemed to be less tartar during my daily oral hygiene routine.

This could be a good side effect (for a change) ........ thanks for your input, Future Thinker
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: gnatcatcher on May 04, 2016, 11:50:39 am
True for me, too -- my dentist confirmed it at my January appointment, and added that what little tartar there was came off more easily than before my Harvoni treatment.
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 04, 2016, 11:54:22 am
Interesting! My next dental hygiene appt is a week after I finish my treatment, so I'll get her feedback then and post it.  I just wondered if anyone else had noticed this.  FT
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: brie41 on May 05, 2016, 07:30:26 am
Hi,

  I actually did notice that, although my gums started bleeding about a week ago when I floss.  But last night I had a little blood just from brushing.  I have never had that happen.  I stopped using my water pic so I wonder if that is the reason.  I don't think we can always blame Harvoni for everything!  Enjoy the perks!!!  Brie
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 05, 2016, 12:12:28 pm
Brie, thanks for answering.  We have 3 for 3 so far on this question, so hopefully we can get more input from more people.  FT
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: Luna7 on May 06, 2016, 12:25:46 pm
I do have cleaner-feeling teeth, but thought it might be due to these toothbrushes I bought to throwaway during treatment. I used an electric toothbrush before.
Sounds like there might really be something to this tartar lessening during treatment.
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 06, 2016, 12:31:19 pm
Thanks, Luna for replying.  I'm wondering what effect drinking so much more water could have on this?  I have literally doubled my water intake since starting treatment, and plan to continue drinking close to what I am now once finished.

Hope we get more input from other members -- Thanks, FT
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 11, 2016, 01:49:30 pm
Hi everyone out there -- bringing this question up to the top of the topics to see if there is any more feedback.

Does anyone know if there is a connection between DAAs and decreased tartar buildup?  Or is it the omission of HCV in our systems once we are undetected?  Or is it the increased water intake?  Or a combo????  Thanks!! FT
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: morab on May 11, 2016, 04:25:32 pm
I doubled water intake, and also notice less tartar on teeth.
Not sure what is the helping matter, removing the Hep C? Or the increase in water.
Morab
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: gnatcatcher on May 11, 2016, 06:01:30 pm
My increase in hydration during treatment wasn't drastic -- only a cup or so per day. The reduction in tartar during tx was significant, and I continue to have less tartar even though I've been back to my pre-treatment hydration level ever since I finished tx at the end of September. Perhaps excessive tartar is an extrahepatic manifestation (EHM) of the HCV?

Gnatty
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: FutureThinker on May 12, 2016, 11:54:22 am
Thanks Gnatty, this is the kind of feedback I'm seeking.  I have been getting my teeth cleaned 3x/year (vs. 2x/year) for awhile now, and I actually cancelled my dental cleaning appt at the end of the month because I really don't need it yet! Rescheduled it for a 6 mos. cleaning vs. 4, so we'll see how that works out.

I hope we get more feedback on this phenomena, as I haven't seen anything as of yet in the literature on this.  FT
Title: Re: Harvoni/DAAs and less tartar?
Post by: Lynn K on May 12, 2016, 06:47:12 pm
I get my teeth cleaned 3 times a year I have never had a tartar problem. My tartar is unchanged. But I believe my dental does not have to worry about catching hep c from me anymore! ;)