Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis | Family Dentist Near Me

dentist_near_me
dentist_near_me

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are a systemic inflammatory disorder, which is how they have a connection. Both diseases frustrate the immune system and attack its own tissues, eventually leading to tooth loss and pain of joints. Learn about the connection and what you can do to protect your overall health.

Studies show a strong connection between RA and gum disease, an inflammatory condition that can lead to tooth loss and other health complications. Both diseases have inflammation in common, which explains the connection. Inflammation is a protective immune system response to viruses and bacteria. RA is an autoimmune disease which causes it to mistakenly trigger inflammation even if there are no viruses or bacteria present. Also, Brushing and flossing can be challenging for those with RA. In the journal PLoS Pathogens, they found that the bacteria that causes periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis, increases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, leads to an earlier onset of the disease, and causes symptoms to progress quickly.

It is important for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to be brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly. It is very important to work with your doctors to find out what works best for you.  People who have both gum disease and RA should have an informed care team composed of both a physician and a periodontist. If you don’t have a periodontist, you should get an evaluation from your dentist every year to monitor the status of your gums. Research has found that when patients with RA successfully treat gum disease, pain and other symptoms get better.

For patients with RA, one must pay close attention to oral health and schedule regular dental exams, eat healthy and always brush and floss. If you have trouble taking care of your teeth due to stiff, painful hands or jaws, speak to your dentist or therapist about ways to make dental care easier. Here are some tips as to how you can make dental care easier to manage:

●        Toothbrush: add a tennis ball or bicycle grip to better handle your toothbrush

●        Floss: experiment with different type of floss

●        Toothpaste: using toothpaste in a pump may be easier for you than toothpaste you have to squeeze

If you have any questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis, contact our office to schedule a consultation and what we can do for you.

Family 1st Dental
,

Return to Blog Articles

Our Dental News

Family Dentist near me

What You Should Know About Partial Dentures | Best Dentist in Iowa

Determining Which Type of Denture is Best for You     Dentures can either be a replacement of all of one’s teeth known as complete dentures or a section of teeth, known as partial dentures. When arriving for your scheduled […]

Learn More
Family Dentist near me

Preventing Enamel Erosion | Family First Dental

Enamel erosion is a serious dental problem that can cause a variety of issues such as white spots, sensitivity, cracks, chips, and indentations on your teeth. The enamel is the hard, protective coating that surrounds your teeth, and while it […]

Learn More
Family Dentist near me

How Chocolate Affects the Health of Your Teeth | Family Dentist Near Me

Did you know that chocolate might not be as bad for your teeth as people may have thought? You can now eat your favorite treat without feeling guilty. Studies have shown that there are benefits to eating chocolate, however, not […]

Learn More