As a result, people with Sjögren's disease have dry mouth and dry eyes. Dry mouth affects taste, makes chewing and swallowing more difficult, and increases the risk for cavities, tooth loss, and infections in the mouth.
Crohn's Disease
It has a variety of symptoms and effects, but it can also impact your dental health. Crohn's Disease can cause swelling in your mouth, particularly in your gums. It is uncomfortable and can lead to shifting teeth. Plus, you become prone to mouth ulcers which are excessively uncomfortable.
Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid
The most affected area is the gingiva, almost 94% of the cases [35], where the pemphigoid lesions give rise to a clinical condition called desquamative gingivitis.
In an advanced stage of the disease called periodontitis, the inflammation can lead to loss of bone and teeth. An unhealthy balance of bacteria in the mouth has long been known to trigger inflammation in periodontal disease.
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.
Cavities that develop quickly and unexpectedly may be the result of: Sudden Dietary Changes: You might have changed your diet in some way, including drinking more soda, adding more sugar to your coffee, eating more starchy or acidic foods, or consuming more sweets.
Poor Diet. A poor diet, namely one high in sugars and starches, is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Bacteria found in the mouth have a sweet tooth of their own and they happily chow down on the simple carbohydrates found in these foods.
Tooth decay was present in 100% of people with active lupus disease and 85% of people with inactive lupus – possibly due to reduced salivary flow or dry mouth, a common development of lupus. People with lupus exhibit more tooth loss than healthy population.
Some people also feel like their mouth is tingling or burning. A 2016 study showed all people with active lupus had cavities. People with lupus also have more tooth loss compared to people without lupus. Pain from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is common in the first few years of active lupus.
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.
Gum disease is mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. Certain chronic conditions increase one's risk for periodontal disease including diabetes, a weakened immune system, poor oral hygiene, and heredity.
Sjögren's puts are at higher risk of developing cavities and gum disease. Seeing your dentist regularly can help identify dental problems early or prevent them altogether. Boost your fluoride intake. Fluoride can lower your risk of cavities.
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.
The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Sjögren's syndrome predominantly affects women.
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.
There are many different problems that can affect your teeth, including: Tooth decay - damage to a tooth's surface, which can lead to cavities. Abscess - a pocket of pus, caused by a tooth infection. Impacted tooth - a tooth did not erupt (break through the gum) when it should have.
Vitamin D plays a key role in bone and tooth mineralization, and when levels are unregulated it can lead to the “rachitic tooth”, which is a defective and hypomineralized organ highly susceptible to fracture and decay [35,36].
The Surprising Link(s) Between Oral Health and Disease
Most people with Hashimoto's have some degree of intestinal permeability, and because the mouth is part of the GI tract, they are more prone to oral health issues, including gum disease, dry mouth, cavities, inflammation, and infection.
The bacteria in our mouth, which is causing gum disease, is also causing inflammation in the rest of our body. People with Hashimoto's often have gum disease. When they experience flare-ups in their disease, they also experience flare-ups in their gums – showing a connection.
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.
Though good oral hygiene that includes brushing and flossing helps in preventing cavities, you may still get cavities. The reasons can be many, like the spaces between teeth that easily trap food, consuming too much cavity-causing foods and beverages, avoiding regular professional-level cleanings and checkups, etc.
If you are experiencing tooth decay, make an appointment to see your dentist immediately for an examination and treatment. While you wait for your appointment, learn more about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention for rotten teeth.
Oral lichen planus (LIE-kun PLAY-nus) is an ongoing (chronic) inflammatory condition that affects mucous membranes inside your mouth. Oral lichen planus may appear as white, lacy patches; red, swollen tissues; or open sores. These lesions may cause burning, pain or other discomfort.