Gingivitis and Gum Disease Inflammation in the gums is linked to several different autoimmune disorders, including lupus, Crohn's disease, and scleroderma, among others.
Autoimmune conditions like lupus and Crohn's disease can cause ulcers to develop more easily on the soft tissues of the mouth. Blood vessel and nerve damage. Some autoimmune conditions cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which include those in the mouth.
Lupus. While not as prevalent as it has been in previous generations, it is still possible to have Lupus. Lupus affects your dental health by creating lesions and ulcers in your mouth. While they are not always painful, they can be.
Periodontitis is considered an autoimmune disease because your body's immune system is attacking your own tissues due to the ongoing chronic inflammation.
Studies have shown an association between periodontitis and other inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and systemic lupus.
For example, periodontitis is linked with respiratory disease, rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, preterm birth and low birth weight, and problems controlling blood sugar in diabetes.
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden.
Research has linked oral health problems such as periodontal or gum disease to many health conditions, including diabetes, heart and kidney disease, Alzheimer's, asthma, osteoporosis, and cancer. Dr. Mariotti says there are more than 120 conditions that have been associated with dental problems.
Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums can become swollen and red, and they may bleed.
Because of the hallmark oral manifestations of Sjögren disease, dental professionals are often the first clinicians to detect the condition. Due to the xerostomia symptoms that commonly accompany Sjögren disease, patients may present with dry and friable oral mucosa with a dry and fissured tongue.
Oral Complications
Lupus can affect your salivary glands and cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase the risk of developing cavities and other infections. If you have lupus, be sure to tell your dentist. Together, you can keep your mouth healthy.
Oral Lichen Planus: This oral autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks the mucous membranes inside your mouth, according to The Mayo Clinic. It will appear as lacy white patches, sometimes accompanied by painful sores on the lining of the cheeks, tongue, and gums.
It is common knowledge that many people with lupus start developing skin problems of many sorts. As mentioned above, some of these include lupus mouth sores, which could be either painful or entirely painless. The painless subtype of mouth sores is white with a red outline, which appears to be a raised bump.
Your mouth may feel chalky, and you may have trouble swallowing, speaking, and tasting. Because you lack the protective effects of saliva, you may develop more dental decay (cavities) and mouth infections, such as candidiasis (also called thrush).
Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer. More than 40% of adults report having felt pain in their mouth within the last year, and more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity by age 34.
It's challenging to imagine infected gums in your mouth can have a dramatic impact on different parts of your body, including your heart, lungs, bones, blood sugar levels, and fetal development. In addition, the bacteria from your gums can impact your body in different ways.
Receding gums becomes a health concern when the roots of the teeth become exposed, leaving the teeth at risk of decay, infection, and loss. The exposure of root surfaces and receding gum line causes not only aesthetic concerns, but also potentially serious tooth sensitivity issues.
Periodontitis is a common inflammatory disease of infectious origins that often evolves into a chronic condition.
Periodontal diseases can predispose individuals to several systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, oral and colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory tract infection and pneumonia, adverse pregnancy outcomes, diabetes and insulin resistance, and Alzheimer's disease.
Plaque is the primary cause of gum disease. However, other factors can contribute to periodontal disease. These include: Hormonal changes, such as those occurring during pregnancy, puberty, menopause, and monthly menstruation, make gums more sensitive, which makes it easier for gingivitis to develop.
For example, some people with severe periodontal disease have genetic factors that affect the immune factor interleukin-1 (IL-1), a cytokine involved in the inflammatory response. Such individuals are up to 20 times more likely to develop advanced periodontitis than those without these genetic factors.
Herpes viruses are known to affect periodontal neutrophils function, and coinfection by HCMV and EBV may signify an increased risk for severe periodontitis. Predominantly, HCMV infection has been involved in various forms of periodontal disease, including aggressive, chronic, and necrotic periodontal disease.
Only the first stage of gum disease, known as “gingivitis” can be reversed. After it progresses into the second stage (periodontitis), it's no longer possible to completely eliminate it.
You can't cure it because once you lose structural support around your teeth, you don't usually get all of it back. However, periodontal treatment can reduce infection and rebuild your bone and tissue to some degree. Another factor is genetics.