Oral Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Mouth Joint Connection

Tooth loss, technically known as periodontal disease (PD), not only refrains you from enjoying your favorite food but also shares a strong relationship with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Yes, you have heard it right! Patients suffering from RA are likely to have an increased risk of gum disease. Both the disease are linked to severe inflammation and that is your body’s immune response to prevent bacteria and virus. Owing to its association with strong inflammation, periodontitis increases the risk for diseases like diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Both RA and periodontitis also appear to share a genetic link.

RA is an enervating condition that causes joints to become inflamed, thereby leading to pain, stiffness and swelling. The findings held Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) responsible for gum disease. P.gingivalis is one of the major protein causing periodontal disease. Studies by the Journal of Periodontology show that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are eight times more likely to have periodontal disease as compared to people without RA.

The Inflammation Link
As discussed above, both RA and periodontal disease have inflammation in common. Inflammation is a protective immune system to virus and bacteria. However, with an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system triggers inflammation even when there are no bacteria and virus. It is therefore understood that inflammation is a common figure between RA and gum disease.

Immune system and chronic inflammation play an important role in rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease.

According to John Hopkins study (2016), bacteria responsible for chronic gum infection triggers the development of citrullinated proteins. These proteins develop auto antibodies which have a major role towards RA.

Oral Complications Caused Due to RA

• Swelling gums is the first indication. Other symptoms can also contribute to dental problems. Patients suffering from RA in jaw joints may find it difficult to open their mouth properly. Similarly, having pain in the hands, elbows and shoulder can make brushing difficult. If your body starts taking control of your ability to take care of your oral health, you will see cavities building up and inflammation in the gums.
• Treating RA with medication improves joint functioning and also makes it easier to take care of your teeth. Medicine that reduce inflammation may be advantageous for your mouth as well.
• Patients with RA experience dry mouth as a side effect. This is a condition characterized by dry eyes and mouth that occurs with RA. Saliva helps in fighting bacteria against the mouth. Without enough saliva, you will get more cavities and gum disease.

Treating Gum Disease Helps RA
The treatment of gum disease is the only cure that helps get rid of RA and neutralizes its impact on the overall health. Patients who get periodontal disease treated professionally can have significantly less pain, stiffness and less painful joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis can be disastrous, however, taking care of your oral health can possibly reduce the impact of disease. A research done by Case Western University School of Dental Medicine revealed that patients who received non surgical treatment for gum disease reported significant improvement in RA. There is yet a lot of research to be done for identifying whether treating gum disease helps with RA. Therefore, it is important for patients suffering from RA and their physicians to work in collaboration with dentists and get rid of periodontal disease.

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