Hello dental professionals,
I’m currently struggling with periodontal disease alongside a recent diagnosis of exfoliative cheilitis (a persistent lip issue involving peeling, inflammation, and stinging). This combination has put me in a tough spot that my dentist seems quite baffled by.
I was in the middle of a series of periodontal cleanings, having finished three out of six. My case was already tricky because the worst inflammation is centered around a 15-year-old bridge on my lower front teeth, which hasn’t improved much despite the efforts of my dental team and myself. My dentists were hesitant to replace the bridge because of the complexity of that area, hoping the cleanings would resolve it, but it’s looking like replacement is inevitable. To make matters worse, I developed this chronic lip condition where my skin barrier is damaged, leading to constant peeling and pain. Even simple things like talking, drinking water, or air exposure are painful. I’m seeing two dermatologists and trying various meds, but since it’s so rare, they aren’t sure how to help.
During my last dental visit, my dentist was visibly shocked and said she’d never seen anything like it, which was discouraging. She even suggested I see a “healer.” Both my derm and dentist advised avoiding non-urgent dental work for now, so we paused the cleanings. However, switching to milder oral care products and using steroids on my lips has caused my gum health to decline rapidly. I’m experiencing pain and new redness in areas that were previously fine.
I feel stuck because the medical professionals are just as lost as I am. Have any of you managed a patient with these overlapping issues? I’d love any advice or techniques I could suggest to my team in Berlin. I feel quite stranded since these two conditions seem to aggravate each other in a frustrating cycle.
Note: I’ve already tested negative for candida and bacterial infections via a mouth swab.
