This website is intended for patients with X-Linked Hypophosphataemia and their families in the United Kingdom and Ireland, provided by Kyowa Kirin.

An XLH patient with hands in front of his mouth

Dental

Because XLH affects your teeth and gums, it's important to get your dentist’s support and stick to a good dental hygiene routine. Here we explain why and how.

Toothache and sore gums are symptoms that are all too familiar for people with XLH. As you probably know, the pain can be so bad sometimes that it’s hard to think straight. Thankfully, there’s a lot you can do to help reduce the damage XLH can do to your teeth and gums.

The difference between teeth and bones

Many people assume that because teeth and bones are white and hard, they have similar properties. Both teeth and bones require calcium and phosphate to develop strength and to grow properly. However, teeth are actually much tougher than bones as they need to be able to cope with grinding against one another when we eat.

Read more Read less

The phosphate problem

People with XLH often have trouble with their teeth and gums. This is because a lack of phosphate means that dentin (a hard layer of bony tissue just below the tooth enamel) develops poorly and becomes soft. Pulp chambers are enlarged, pushing into the dentin, so they are closer to the tooth enamel. These changes make it easier for bacteria to get into the teeth and cause infections.

Read more Read less

Abscesses

Abscesses are the most significant dental problem associated with XLH. They result from oral infections and tend to appear without cavities or the evidence of trauma, so they are sometimes called ‘spontaneous abscesses’. Unfortunately, spontaneous abscesses can recur. Once the underlying infection takes hold, it is likely to continue until extraction or root canal treatment is needed.

Read more Read less

When to contact your dentist

Anyone with XLH and tooth pain should visit his or her dentist as soon as possible

If you have an abscess, you may experience some of the following:

  • Intense, throbbing pain in the affected tooth or gum
  • Pain that spreads to your ear, jaw and neck
  • Pain that's worse when lying down or trying to sleep
  • Swelling and redness in your face
  • A discoloured, tender and/or loose tooth
  • Shiny, red and swollen gums
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink
  • Bad breath and/or an unpleasant taste in your mouth

The sooner you visit your dentist, the more he or she can do to help. And always remember to tell your dentist about your XLH.

Read more Read less
 

Dental Care

Many people with XLH will experience problems with their teeth and gums. If this includes you, you will know how painful and troublesome XLH-related dental problems can be. You may even feel despair when you work hard to keep up a great dental care routine but it doesn’t seem to stop problems from happening.

Be reassured that dental problems are almost certainly not your fault - they are a symptom of XLH. Here are some ways to minimise your XLH-related dental problems:

  • Ask your dentist about sealants for baby and adult teeth
  • Consider using a night guard
  • Don’t smoke, it increases dental problems
  • Keep taking your XLH treatment as prescribed

Basic dental care reminder:

  • Be diligent about brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day and after each meal
  • Avoid sugary snacks and drinks
  • Visit your dentist regularly
Read more Read less

Welcome to XLH Link

This website is specifically designed to provide information about X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH).
Please note that this website does not replace the role of a healthcare professional and it is always recommended that you seek professional medical advice.

Please select from the options below to access content relevant to you:

If you are a registered healthcare professional from outside of the UK please visit the
Kyowa Kirin international site.

 

This website is provided by the pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin as a service to medicine.

 

Kyowa Kirin Logo

KKI/UK/XLH/0334
Date of preparation: April 2022

XLH Link

You are about to leave a Kyowa Kirin website

You are leaving the XLH Link website to a site that is not under the control of Kyowa Kirin. Kyowa Kirin is not responsible for the content of any such site or any further link from such site. Are you sure you want to continue?

Yes No

XLH Link - HCP Website

This Kyowa Kirin website is intended for Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) involved in the care of people with X-linked Hypophosphataemia (XLH).



Please confirm you are a healthcare professional

Yes, I am a healthcare professional No, I am not a healthcare professional
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best website experience. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.