Rheumatoid Arthritis And Gum Disease: How Your Dentist Can Help

Anybody who lives with rheumatoid arthritis knows how debilitating it can be, and this chronic autoimmune condition can affect almost any part of the body during a flare. However, you may not be aware that having rheumatoid arthritis makes you significantly more likely to suffer from gum disease.

How Are Rheumatoid Arthritis And Gum Disease Linked? 

While the two conditions may seem unrelated, RA makes you more likely to develop gum disease for a number of reasons.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body produces autoantibodies. Unlike healthy antibodies, which your body produces to fight off bacterial and viral infections, autoantibodies attack your body's own tissues.

These self-inflicted attacks by your body's own immune system cause severe inflammation in the affected tissues. This inflammation is what causes the joint pain and stiffness that affect most people with RA. If autoantibodies attack the gum tissue in your mouth, it can also become inflamed and damaged, causing the characteristic swelling and bleeding of gum disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis flares also weaken your immune system's ability to fight off infections. If your gums are already swollen and bleeding because of inflammation, they will be more vulnerable to bacterial infection. These infections can make your gum disease more severe and may lead to a dangerous, acute form of gum disease known as periodontitis.

How Can Your Dentist Help Prevent Gum Disease?

If you suffer from intermittent or chronic rheumatoid arthritis, preventing gum disease from forming in the first place will be much easier than treating it. You should make sure to visit a general dentist regularly so you can keep on top of your oral health. Make sure your dentist is made aware of your full medical history and your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, so they can tailor their treatments to suit your needs.

Deep cleaning, root scaling and planing should be performed by your dentist at least twice a year, and you may benefit from more frequent treatments. These painless procedures will remove deposits of plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach parts of your mouth, and are especially beneficial if you have trouble brushing or flossing.

If RA flares are making your oral hygiene regimen more difficult, your dentist can prescribe you a specialised toothbrush with an extra-large grip. These toothbrushes will be easier to grasp and use when a flare is affecting your finger mobility. They may also provide you with interdental brushes, which can be easier to use than floss if your mobility is limited.

If your show signs of gum disease, your dentist can provide you with medicated mouthwashes, specialised toothpaste and oral medications to fight the inflammation. You may also be provided with antibiotics if your gums show signs of bacterial infection. 

Speak to your dentist to learn more.