If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, in addition to the illness’s primary symptoms, these conditions can often cause a litany of problems for your oral health. Here’s how if you have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, or multiple sclerosis, it could be harming your smile.
What is an Autoimmune Disease?
Here in America, an estimated 23.5 million people suffer from an autoimmune disease. When your body senses that a virus or infection may be immanent, it triggers your immune system to attack. This is known as an immune response. Unfortunately, sometimes even healthy cells and tissues can be caught in the crosshairs of this attack, causing an autoimmune disease.
How Do Autoimmune Diseases Affect Oral Health?
There are many different types of autoimmune diseases that affect different areas of the body but that may also affect your oral health. Here are a few common problems you may encounter.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain from conditions such as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction) is common in patients with autoimmune illnesses, especially those with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. That’s because the tendons surrounding the temporomandibular joint can become inflamed, causing jaw stiffness and difficulties opening and closing the mouth.
Oral Lesions and Irritation
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the digestive tract. This inflammation can also cause painful oral lesions, mouth ulcers, and swollen lips. These can typically be treated with over-the-counter topical medications.
Dry Mouth
Sometimes, medications to treat conditions like lupus, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis may cause dry mouth. In addition to being uncomfortable, this condition can also increase your risk of cavities and gum disease, because saliva can not only wash away dangerous bacteria and food particles, but it also contains important chemicals that can keep oral tissues healthy. Thus, when your body is unable to produce an adequate amount of saliva, your risk of these conditions increases, putting your oral health in danger.
Protecting Your Oral Health with an Autoimmune Disease
If you suffer from an autoimmune illness, it’s important to let your dentist know. This will make it easier to formulate a treatment plan that takes any medications, infusions, and increased oral health risks into consideration. You may need additional help protecting your smile, such as prescription mouthwashes that can keep the mouth hydrated, or more frequent exams to ensure that your teeth and gums stay healthy. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, TMJ therapy may help keep the jaw flexible and pain-free.
Remember, patients with autoimmune illnesses often carry a higher risk of oral health problems, too. If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from one of these conditions, please be sure to let your dentist know so they can better assist you in protecting your smile.
About Dr. Harrison-McClain
Dr. Deidre Harrison-McClain loves how dentistry combines art, science, and caring for patients all in one. Educated right here in Tennessee, Dr. Harrison-McClain earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Meharry Medical College in Nashville and completed her dental residency through the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where she participated in rotations in Anesthesia, Family Medicine, Oral Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Operating Room Dentistry.
Today, Dr. Harrison-McClain enjoys treating her own patients, with services ranging from general dentistry to restorations and even cosmetic treatments. To schedule an exam and cleaning or any other type of dental appointment at Goodlettsville Smiles, please visit our website, or call us today at 615-859-0188.