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Suggest Treatment For Helicobacter Pylori
Hi, I have been treated for hpylori now three times and I hope the doxycycline ,flagal and nexium that I am taking work. Why is this bacteria so hard to treat? I have to wonder if our food supply is contaminated ? Are there any studies where hpylori can live in the mouth? My recent oral check up was fine but the dentist told me that there is a gap inbetween the back tooth. Could hpylori live there even though I brush twice a day and use listerine?
Wed, 21 Jan 2015
Hello there,
h.pylori is difficult to treat as the bacteria is able to burrow into your stomach layers and secretes an enzyme that neutralises the stomach acid near it. So effectively it is able to survive in an environment where other bacteria do not thrive. Your food contamination maybe an issue especially if the food is not properly refrigerated. The bacteria is not known to live in teeth spaces. The course of antibiotics may be extended to ensure elimination of H.pylori.
The way to test for it is a urea breath test.
Hope this helps,
Please address any further queries to me. I would gladly answer them.
Dr Arun A
h.pylori is difficult to treat as the bacteria is able to burrow into your stomach layers and secretes an enzyme that neutralises the stomach acid near it. So effectively it is able to survive in an environment where other bacteria do not thrive. Your food contamination maybe an issue especially if the food is not properly refrigerated. The bacteria is not known to live in teeth spaces. The course of antibiotics may be extended to ensure elimination of H.pylori.
The way to test for it is a urea breath test.
Hope this helps,
Please address any further queries to me. I would gladly answer them.
Dr Arun A
I find this answer helpful
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria which infects the gastric mucosa only.
It does not infect the oral mucosa or tooth spaces or tooth cavities.
Thus, the gap between the teeth is not infected by Helicobacter pylori.
The infection with Helicobacter pylori is known to recur and has to be managed with anti-helicobacter pylori therapy each time.
In addition, gastric biopsy should be done to look rule out presence of lymphoma because helicobacter pylori is known to cause lymphoma of stomach.
Consult your gastroenterologist for clinical assessment and relevant investigations (gastric biopsy).
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria which infects the gastric mucosa only.
It does not infect the oral mucosa or tooth spaces or tooth cavities.
Thus, the gap between the teeth is not infected by Helicobacter pylori.
The infection with Helicobacter pylori is known to recur and has to be managed with anti-helicobacter pylori therapy each time.
In addition, gastric biopsy should be done to look rule out presence of lymphoma because helicobacter pylori is known to cause lymphoma of stomach.
Consult your gastroenterologist for clinical assessment and relevant investigations (gastric biopsy).
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
I find this answer helpful
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