Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

Studies show mouth bacteria may trigger RA and other inflammatory diseases from www.Arthritis.org

Research, aided by DNA sequencing techniques, has shown that germs that cause gum disease may significantly contribute to many health problems, including RA and other inflammatory disorders.

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Researchers continue to find links between periodontitis (gum disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  In one study, people with RA were eight times more likely to get periodontitis than people without RA.  Another study found that people who had gum disease were more than twice as likely to develop RA than people without gum disease.  What these and other studies suggest is a complicated, two-way relationship: RA may lead to gum disease, and gum disease may trigger RA in some people.

How Might RA Cause Periodontitis?

Periodontitis is an infection and inflammation that destroys the structures supporting your teeth.  Symptoms of periodontitis include loose teeth and gums that are red, swollen, and bleed easily.

Periodontitis develops when plaque typically forms on your teeth and spreads below your gum line.  Plaque is a sticky film composed of up of bacteria, mucus, and food particles.  The plaque that builds up between your teeth and gums causes periodontitis.

Here's how RA may lead to periodontitis:

• If RA makes your hands stiff and painful, you may have trouble brushing and flossing correctly.  Good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent plaque buildup.
• I’ve read that some medications used to treat RA may lower your ability to fight off infection, leading to more plaque-causing bacteria.
• Also, RA and some medications may affect your salivary glands and cause your mouth to dry.  Aside from carrying digestive and systemic enzymes, saliva helps protect your mouth from bacteria and plaque buildup.

How Might Periodontitis Trigger RA?

Doctors think that RA may be caused by a combination of the genes you're born with coupled witjh the events in your life that trigger those genes to become active.  Periodontitis may be one of those triggers.  

Here are reasons why researchers think periodontitis may trigger RA:

• The cells from your body's defense system (immune system) that invade your mouth when you have periodontitis are similar to those that invade your joints when you have RA.
• A type of bacteria present when you have periodontitis has been seen to cause cell changes that can trigger an autoimmune reaction like RA.
• Periodontitis, which begins early in life, has been linked to diabetes, which is also an autoimmune disease.

What You Can Do to Prevent or Control Periodontitis

Although we still need more research on the links between periodontitis and RA, good oral health is essential if you have RA.  If RA symptoms keep you from brushing or flossing properly, talk to your dentist or an occupational therapist about ways to keep your teeth clean and your gums healthy.  This may include using specially designed toothbrushes and carefully using picks (a technique that should be taught to you by your oral health professional), cleaning your teeth with water irrigation such as a WaterPik, or possibly also rinsing with special mouthwashes.

Here are additional ways to prevent or control periodontitis:

• Have a dental checkup and professional cleaning at least twice a year or more often if a dental professional recommends.
• Brush and floss after every meal and at bedtime.
• Use toothpaste that fights plaque.
• Repair crooked teeth (crooked teeth are much harder to clean than straight teeth) or poorly fitting dentures.
• If your general dentist recommends that you see a dental specialist called a periodontist, please do so.

Suppose you have symptoms of gum disease, such as sensitive areas or bleeding, or have been diagnosed by a professional measuring pockets (where your teeth meet your gum line, and you have RA.  Work with your rheumatologist to keep your RA under control.  You can help protect your joints and improve your overall health by maintaining a healthy mouth.

Key Takeaways

• Research shows a strong link between gum disease and RA.
• People with RA may be at risk of gum disease because of poor oral hygiene, medications, and dry mouth.
• Research suggests that periodontitis may be a trigger for RA.
• Preventing gum disease is essential for everyone, but it is vital if you have RA.

https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/mouth-bacteria