How does Rheumatoid Arthritis hurt oral health?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder that primarily affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees. The progression of this condition leads to damage in tissues around the joint. The tissue damage is followed by detrimental effects like joint stiffness, instability, bone erosion, joint deformity, etc.

This inflammatory disorder indirectly affects various body systems like blood vessels, eyes, lungs, etc., in addition to generating excruciating swelling. Dental health is not an exception. Our dental doctors have explained the impact of this rheumatic disease on oral health in this blog post.

What are the dental complications that arise from Rheumatoid Arthritis?

As Rheumatoid Arthritis attacks the linings of tissues around the joints, ligaments, muscles, and bone, the sufferers cannot grip things in their hands. It also affects their dental care tasks when they cannot grip a toothbrush or floss wire effectively. Right?

It implies that Arthritis patients are at risk of microbial infections in their mouths. The common dental illnesses instigated by Rheumatoid Arthritis are as follows:

1) Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s Syndrome is a kind of rheumatic disease. It is also an autoimmune inflammatory condition that co-occurs with rheumatic conditions like arthritis. It causes swelling and damage in the fluid secretion glands in our body. It causes swelling in the fluid secretion glands in our body. Prostrate, bulbourethral glands, seminal vesicles, salivary glands are some instances.

Saliva production is decreased when such salivary gland inflammation occurs.

Lack of salivary flow inside the mouth empowers oral microbes to proliferate, causing bad breath, dryness in the mouth, burning mouth syndrome, etc. Moreover, microbial accumulation increases the risk of various dental disorders like cavities, gum diseases, etc.

2) Gum disease

Poor oral hygiene and insufficient saliva are the main causes of periodontal disease in most arthritis patients. Beginning from damaging the gum tissues, the infection penetrates deep underneath and destroys the tooth’s bone support, causing tooth loss.

If the gum disease is not treated on time, it will affect more than just your oral health. The microbial agents in gums secret a toxic fluid that enters the bloodstream. It contributes to various bodily disorders like diabetes, heart disease, etc.

3) TMJ Disorders

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular joint that connects the jaw and skull. The inflammation in this joint makes it challenging to move the jaw. In such cases, the victims encounter sharp pain while opening and closing their mouths.

Dentists use appliances like mouth splints, oral guards to treat such dysfunction in TMJ.

4) Oral infections

Aside from the direct and indirect impacts of this rheumatic condition on dental health, the immunosuppressive medications taken to tackle the rheumatic disease also cause some oral infectious conditions. Fungal infections, bacterial infections, and oral ulcers are some instances.

How should arthritis patients safeguard their oral health?

Besides getting regular dental checkups and timely dental treatments, rheumatic arthritis should consider the following dental hygiene tips for their oral health well-being:

• Switch to an electric toothbrush– Dental hygienists recommend electric toothbrushes to those with limited dexterity. It is because the rotating heads of these oscillating toothbrushes take care of cleaning teeth even though the user makes limited arm movements.
• Use a wide-handled toothbrush – If you don’t like an electric toothbrush with wide handles, you should widen the handle of your manual toothbrush. The wide handles make it possible to grasp the toothbrush even if your hands are unsteady.
• Try floss picks – Flossing is essential to dislodge the tiny particles stuck between the teeth and in areas the toothbrush bristles cannot reach. However, people with limited dexterity cannot use flossing wires properly. If they do, they might hurt their gum tissues. Hence, alternative appliances like interdental toothbrushes, floss picks, and oral irrigators are better.

Want to know more about the connection between this rheumatic disease and tips to tackle its detrimental effects on teeth? Contact us at +91-9445772255 or schedule your appointment with our dentists here.