The Link Between Arthritis And Dental Pain

You might ask how arthritis and dental pain are related. Inflammation is the link between these two problems. When your immune system fights arthritis, it can also hurt your mouth.

This can cause swollen gums or pain in your jaw. Studies show people with rheumatoid arthritis have dental pain more often than others:

Watching for changes in your mouth helps you find problems early. If you have arthritis, you can do things to keep your mouth healthy.

Key Takeaways

• Arthritis causes swelling. This can make your jaw hurt. Your gums can get puffy. Your mouth can feel dry. These problems make dental issues happen more often.
• People with arthritis get gum disease more often. They also lose teeth more often. This can make arthritis feel worse.
• Toothbrushes that are easy to hold help a lot. Flossing tools that are simple to use help too. These tools keep your mouth clean even if your hands hurt.
• Going to the dentist often is important. Talking with your dentist and doctor helps you get better care. This can help lower pain.
• Look out for mouth pain, gums that bleed, or a stiff jaw. Go to your dentist early to stop bigger problems.

Arthritis and Oral Health

TMJ Pain

If you have arthritis, your jaw might hurt or feel stiff. Arthritis can make the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, swell.

The TMJ connects your jaw to your skull. It helps you open and close your mouth. When arthritis affects this joint, you might notice:

• Your jaw hurts when you chew food.
• Your jaw muscles get tired easily.
• You see swelling near your jaw, neck, or ear.
• Your jaw makes clicking or popping sounds.
• You cannot open your mouth very wide.

These problems can come and go when arthritis gets worse. Over time, the joint may get damaged. This can change how your teeth fit together or make your jaw stiff.

Doctors check for TMJ problems with exams and pictures like X-rays or MRIs. Treating TMJ pain often needs help from both your rheumatologist and dentist.

Gum Disease

People with arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, get gum disease more often. Their gum disease is usually worse than in people without arthritis.

Arthritis causes swelling that makes gums bleed or get infected more easily. Studies show people with rheumatoid arthritis have a much higher chance of gum disease.

Gum disease can make you lose teeth. It can also make eating and talking harder. People with rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to lose all their teeth. Having fewer teeth means your joints may swell more and your arthritis may be worse.

If you have less than 20 teeth, your chance of swollen joints goes up a lot. It is more than eight times higher than for people with all their teeth. This strong link shows why it is important to check your gums if you have arthritis.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is another problem for people with arthritis. There are two main reasons for this. Some people with arthritis get Sjögren’s syndrome.

This condition attacks the glands that make spit. Your mouth feels dry because you have less saliva. Also, many arthritis medicines can lower saliva.

You might notice:

• It is hard to chew, swallow, or talk.
• Your mouth feels sticky or dry.
• You get more cavities or mouth infections.

Saliva keeps your teeth and gums healthy. If you do not have enough saliva, you can get more tooth decay and gum disease.

Medicines like pain relievers, antidepressants, and some arthritis drugs can make dry mouth worse. If you have dry mouth, your dentist can help. They may suggest saliva substitutes or special mouth rinses.

Dry mouth and gum disease can make dental pain worse. They can also raise your chance of getting infections. If you notice these problems, talk to your dentist or doctor.

Oral Health and Arthritis

Oral Infections

People with arthritis often get oral infections. You might see swelling or feel pain in your mouth. Sometimes, you can even get a fever from an infection.

These infections can make your arthritis feel worse. Here are some kinds of oral infections you might have:

• Bacterial infections can make your teeth or jaw swell. You may feel strong pain or notice swollen lymph nodes.
• Fungal infections, like oral thrush, look like white spots on your tongue or cheeks.
• Oral ulcers can show up if you take some arthritis medicines, like methotrexate. Taking folic acid might help stop these ulcers.
• Dry mouth is common with Sjögren’s syndrome or some arthritis drugs. It can raise your chance of getting cavities and infections.

Arthritis can make your immune system weaker. This helps bacteria and fungi grow in your mouth. If your jaw hurts, it can be hard to open your mouth.

This makes brushing and cleaning your teeth more difficult. Bad oral care lets infections start more easily.

Oral infections do not always stay in your mouth. Bacteria from gum disease or dental infections can get into your blood. Once in your blood, these germs can travel to your joints.

They can make your immune system attack your own body. This can make your arthritis worse. Studies show people with bad gum disease have more swelling and worse arthritis. Even with treatment, people with both problems may not get better as fast.

Systemic Inflammation

Systemic inflammation means your whole body has swelling and immune problems. Gum disease and arthritis both cause this issue.

When you have gum disease, bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis can get into your blood. This bacteria can make your immune system attack your joints. This leads to more pain and swelling.

If you have arthritis, brushing and flossing can be hard if your hands hurt. This can make gum disease worse and raise swelling in your body.

More swelling can make your arthritis worse. Research shows that treating gum disease can lower swelling and help with arthritis pain.

Keeping your mouth healthy can help lower swelling in your body. This might slow down arthritis and make your symptoms easier to handle.

The Bidirectional Relationship

Scientists found that periodontitis and arthritis affect each other. Gum disease can make arthritis worse. Arthritis can also make gum disease more likely.

Here is what connects them:

1. Both problems share some genes and immune system issues.
2. Some bacteria in gum disease can change proteins in your body. This can make your immune system attack your joints.
3. The same swelling and immune cells are found in both gum disease and arthritis.
4. Some arthritis treatments, like biological drugs, may help your gums.
5. Treating gum disease might lower arthritis activity, but more research is needed.
6. Doctors and dentists should work together to check for both problems and help you manage them.

• Gum disease and arthritis both cause long-term swelling and bone loss.
• People with gum disease are more likely to get arthritis.
• Arthritis can also raise your risk of gum disease.
• Some bacteria in gum disease can make your immune system start arthritis.
• Studies show gum disease is linked to worse arthritis, but arthritis does not always make gum disease worse.
• Gum disease is more common in families with arthritis, which may mean a link.
• Treating gum disease may help arthritis, but we do not know how much arthritis affects gum health.

Knowing about this two-way link helps you see why mouth care matters if you have arthritis. Good oral health can help lower swelling and may help you feel better.

Symptoms to Watch For

Dental Pain

You may notice several types of dental pain if you have joint problems. Dental pain can show up in different ways.

Some people feel pain in their jaw, while others have trouble chewing or eating. The most common dental pain symptoms in people with joint issues include:

You might also notice gum pain, swelling, or bleeding. Gum disease can cause red, puffy gums and bleeding when you brush or floss.

Some people feel pain from cavities, especially if they have dry mouth. Dry mouth makes it easier for bacteria to cause tooth decay. If you see swelling in your mouth or gums, this could mean you have an infection.

If you feel pain when chewing, notice swelling, or see blood when brushing, you should talk to your dentist. Early care can prevent bigger problems.

Arthritis Symptoms in the Mouth

You may see signs in your mouth that point to arthritis or show that it is getting worse. These symptoms can include:

• Mouth sores or ulcers, which are more common in people with certain types of arthritis or from medications.
• Dry mouth, which can make swallowing and tasting food harder.
• More cavities, because less saliva means less protection for your teeth.
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums, which can signal gum disease.
• Loose teeth or gums pulling away from your teeth.
• Bad breath or gum abscesses.
• Jaw pain or trouble opening your mouth wide.

Gum disease is more common and severe in people with arthritis. You may notice that your gums bleed more or that your teeth feel loose.

TMJ problems can make it hard to keep your mouth clean, which raises your risk for gum disease. If you see any of these signs, you should let your dentist and doctor know.

Prevention and Care

Oral Hygiene

It can be hard to keep your mouth clean if you have arthritis. Your joints may hurt or feel stiff, which makes brushing and flossing tough. You should pick tools that make cleaning easier and less painful.

1. Use an electric toothbrush with a big handle. It is easier to hold and you do not need to move your wrist much.
2. Brush your teeth while sitting down. Resting your elbows helps your joints feel better.
3. Try other ways to floss. Interdental brushes or water flossers clean between teeth and do not need careful finger moves.
4. Use special tools to help you grip. Toothbrush grippers, handle extenders, and floss holders make it easier to reach your teeth.
5. Do not squeeze toothpaste tubes. Use a pump or press with your palm if your hands hurt.
6. Brush and floss two times every day. Clean after each meal for extra protection.
7. Look for gums that bleed or look puffy. Go to the dentist if you see these signs.
8. Stay away from foods like candy and soda. These foods cause plaque.
9. Do not use tobacco. Smoking makes gum disease more likely.

Ask your dentist about tools for cleaning at home. They may want you to get your teeth cleaned more often to keep your mouth healthy.

Dental Visits

People with arthritis should see their dentist more often than others. Going to the dentist often helps stop gum disease and tooth loss.

Studies show that regular dental care can lower swelling and help arthritis. Dentists say you should go more than two times a year.

At each visit, you get your teeth cleaned, checked, and get advice just for you. Finding problems early keeps them from getting worse. Dentists also watch for changes in your gums and teeth that may mean your arthritis is active.

Medical Communication

It is important to share information with your dentist and doctor. Working together helps you get better care. Tell both about your arthritis, your medicines, and any mouth pain.

This helps them pick safe treatments and avoid bad drug mixes. Learning programs teach you and your helpers new ways to clean your mouth.

These programs help you keep your mouth cleaner and lower swelling. Studies show that learning more leads to healthier mouths and fewer problems.

 Good teamwork helps you take care of both arthritis and your teeth. You get better results when your dentist and doctor work together.

When to Seek Help

Urgent Symptoms

It is important to know when you need help fast. Some signs mean your mouth or joints have big problems. These can be infections, bad swelling, or emergencies.

Watch for these urgent signs:

• Gums that are swollen, puffy, or sore
• Gums that bleed a lot
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Teeth that feel loose or fall out
• Pain when you chew food
• New gaps between your teeth
• Gums pulling back, making teeth look longer
• Your teeth do not fit together like before
• Jaw pain, trouble opening your mouth, jaw that locks, clicking or popping sounds, face swelling
• Fever and chills
• Feeling sick like the flu, with headache and body aches
• Skin rash
• Sores in your mouth
• Bruises or bleeding easily
• Joints that are red, hot, and swollen
• Sudden joint pain and swelling, especially with fever
• Bad stomach pain
• Sudden pain in your back
• Bad chest pain, signs of stroke, sudden loss of vision, bleeding that will not stop

If gum pain stays, or you have swelling, bleeding, or an abscess, see a dentist fast. Sudden jaw pain or trouble moving your mouth can mean TMJ problems. Sharp pain in your neck or jaw could be a heart emergency. Dental abscesses can cause very serious infections if not treated. Go to the emergency room if you cannot reach your dentist.

Coordinated Care

You do better when your doctors and dentists work as a team. Coordinated care means your rheumatologist and dentist talk and plan together. This helps you get better care and stops problems. Here is what coordinated care means:

Coordinated care helps you stay healthy and feel better. Ask your doctors and dentists to work together for your best results.

You have learned how arthritis and dental pain are linked. Both problems can happen if you do not clean your mouth well.

Inflammation is also a reason they are connected. Bacteria in your mouth can make your joints hurt more. You might have dry mouth, gum disease, or pain in your jaw.

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste every day.
• Floss your teeth every day to keep gums healthy.
• If your hands hurt, try using an electric toothbrush.
• Go to the dentist often for checkups.
• Stay away from tobacco and sugary snacks.

Keeping your mouth clean can help you feel better with arthritis and make your life easier.

FAQ

What signs show that arthritis affects your mouth?

You may notice jaw pain, dry mouth, swollen gums, or loose teeth. Bleeding when you brush or trouble chewing can also signal a problem. These signs mean you should see your dentist soon.

What can you do if brushing hurts your hands?

You can use an electric toothbrush with a large handle. Try floss holders or water flossers. These tools help you clean your teeth with less pain and effort.

What foods help protect your teeth if you have arthritis?

Choose foods rich in calcium, like cheese and yogurt. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, help clean your teeth. Drink water often to keep your mouth moist.

What should you tell your dentist about your arthritis?

Tell your dentist about your arthritis type, medicines, and any mouth pain. Share if you have trouble brushing or flossing. This helps your dentist plan the best care for you.

What steps lower your risk of dental pain with arthritis?

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss every day.
• Visit your dentist often.
• Avoid tobacco and sugary snacks.
• Drink water to fight dry mouth.