MS patients are all at higher risk for dental issues because of the complications of MS. The disease itself affects the teeth and gums on a biochemical level. The medicine that is used to treat MS can also lead to problems.
People living with MS may be at increased risk of dental diseases due to variety of factors such as reduced manual dexterity to undertake tooth brushing. Some of the side effects of medications taken for MS, cause a reduction in saliva in the mouth (Xerostomia) which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Multiple sclerosis can cause a type of nerve pain called trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is not in your teeth. Instead, it's nerve pain on the side of your face. However, this pain is often felt in the teeth and in the jaw.
1. Tell your dentist about your MS diagnosis and the treatments you are on to manage MS. Your dentist is like any other doctor who is in charge of your care. Letting them know you have a pre-existing condition and the medications you take can help them determine your oral plan of care.
The Effect of MS Medications on the Mouth
One common side effect is dry mouth. “Dry mouth usually goes along with tooth decay that is very difficult to treat,” says Kashani. “It can progress very quickly to the nerve, and if you don't catch it in time, the patient can lose the tooth.”
Gum disease: Periodontitis, or advanced gum disease that has progressed from gingivitis, is the main cause of adult tooth loss. It is a serious infection of the gums that causes the soft tissue to recede and destroy the bone supporting the teeth. Although it is common, it is preventable with good oral hygiene.
One of the altered patterns of socket healing is termed as “socket sclerosis”. [1] It is characterized by lack of lamina dura resorption, and deposition of sclerotic bone within the confines of lamina dura.
MS and oral health are related both directly and indirectly. People with MS are more likely to experience gum infections (periodontitis), dental cavities, and gingivitis. Periodontitis contributes to inflammation, which can trigger MS relapses.
A wide range of conditions can be mistaken for MS, including: migraine, cerebral small vessel disease, fibromyalgia, functional neurological disorders, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, along with uncommon inflammatory, infectious and metabolic conditions (1, 3).
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes MS as a chronic illness or “impairment” that can cause disability severe enough to prevent an individual from working.
Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, connect to the central nervous system, heart, liver, and intestines.
Here are some of the most common signs of tooth nerve pain: A dull ache along the gum line. Pain that targets a single tooth or radiates throughout the mouth. Discomfort that worsens after eating, especially following meals that are hot, cold, or acidic.
The systemic inflammation related to MS can directly affect nerves in the mouth and face — gums included. Inflammation can also affect the bones, nerves, mucous membranes, and skin in and around the mouth. Such inflammation often results in pain, sensory changes, mouth ulcers (oral lesions), and other issues.
Multiple sclerosis is caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and nerves. It's not clear why this happens but it may be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
These include fibromyalgia and vitamin B12 deficiency, muscular dystrophy (MD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), migraine, hypo-thyroidism, hypertension, Beçhets, Arnold-Chiari deformity, and mitochondrial disorders, although your neurologist can usually rule them out quite easily.
MRI scan. An MRI scan is a painless scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body. It can show whether there's any damage or scarring of the myelin sheath (the layer surrounding your nerves) in your brain and spinal cord.
Nail problems are common, and they are not usually serious. If a person has multiple sclerosis (MS), nail problems can cause pain or discomfort. While nail issues are not directly related to the disease, determining the cause may help prevent a person with MS from experiencing further discomfort.
Autoimmune diseases can affect your entire body, including your mouth. Your dental health can suffer if you have an autoimmune disease and you don't take special care of your dental health. There are several diseases that directly affect your teeth and gums.
Increased fatigue. Tingling or numbness anywhere on the body. Brain fog, or difficulty thinking. Muscle spasms.
Ulcers in the Mouth
Autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn's disease can cause these sores to develop more abundantly. Ulcers in the mouth can make it painful to eat and brush your teeth. When you are unable to eat a healthy diet and take care of your teeth, you are more likely to develop cavities.
(Dentariae Medicinae Doctorae, Latin for Dental Medical Doctor) degree. There is no difference between a D.D.S., and a D.M.D. The M.S. represents a three-year long Master of Science degree; C.D.T. is awarded for anyone who has passed all the requirements to be a Certified Dental Technician; and F.A.C.P.
And if left untreated, MS can result in more nerve damage and an increase in symptoms. Starting treatment soon after you're diagnosed and sticking with it may also help delay the potential progression from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to secondary-progressive MS (SPMS).
In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.