The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) aims to raise awareness among organ transplant patients about their increased risk for oral health problems and steps they can take to keep their mouth healthy. The NIDCR developed a fact sheet, titled Organ Transplantation and Your Mouth, to identify important types of dental care for pre- and post-transplant patients.

Here are some tips to keep your mouth healthy:

• Take care of cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and any other mouth problems before your transplantation.
• Manage and treat mouth infections, which may occur post-transplant because of anti-rejection medications.
• Make sure your dentist knows you are a transplant patient.
• Brush and floss every day.

This article originally appeared in the May 2009 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.