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Arthritis
affects your dental health. It can affect your jaw joints which can affect
your ability to chew. As the disease progresses it can become more
difficult to do your daily routine care such as brushing
your teeth and/or flossing your teeth.
We recommend individuals with
arthritis use Sonicare toothbrush. It has:
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A larger handle that makes it easier to
grasp.
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Helps you reach areas of your mouth
that are hard to reach.
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Sonic action that is more precise in
cleaning your teeth.
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Both the American Dental
Association and American Hygienist Association recommend Sonicare especially for
individuals who suffer from arthritis.
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We also recommend the
automatic flosser by Waterpik~. It makes
flossing easy, quick and convenient.
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News Updates
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Association Between Periodontitis and
Rheumatoid Arthritis
An Australian study published in the
Journal of Periodontology found that
participants who had rheumatoid arthritis were more than
twice as likely to have periodontal disease with
moderate to severe jawbone loss as patients in the
control group. In addition, they averaged 11.6 missing
teeth compared with 6.7 in the control group. A
higher percentage of participants with rheumatoid
arthritis had deeper pocketing. Researchers are not
stating that the relationship between the two diseases
is causal; however, some scientists think a bacterial
infection may trigger the disease process in some with
rheumatoid arthritis. 2/06 |
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Periodontal Disease May Be Associated
An Australia study found that prevalence
of rheumatoid arthritis was 3.95% in the periodontal
treatment groups versus 0.66% in the general dental treatment
group. In addition, 62.5% of periodontal
patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffered from ADVANCED DISEASE.
The periodontal group also reported a higher
prevalence of cardiovascular
disease and diabetes mellitus.
Patients with more advanced periodontal
disease were at higher risk of having rheumatoid arthritis
and vice versa. This study concluded there are some pathogenetic similarities
between the two chronic inflammatory disease.
Year Book of Dentistry 2001, Dentistry Today, pg 38 Jan 2002
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Periodontal disease linked to
arthritis:
A study showed
that people who have rheumatoid arthritis were:
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More than twice as likely to have
periodontal disease. |
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Likely to have moderate to severe
jawbone loss. |
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They also averaged 11.7 missing
teeth, compared to 6.7 in the control group. |
Some scientists
think a bacterial infection may trigger the disease process in some of the
estimated 2.1 million people with rheumatoid arthritis. Additional
information can be obtained from the American
Academy of Periodontology
Source: AGD Impact, August/September 2001
pg 17
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MAJOR REVIEW REVEALS THAT
OSTEOARTHRITIS
IS A COMPLEX DISEASE WITH NEW SOLUTION
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health
problem, affecting some 20 million people in this country.
Serious joint injury can lead to osteoarthritis (OA), but
more often the disease results from a combination of
systemic and joint-related factors. OA is strongly
genetically determined, with genetic factors accounting for
about half of OA in the hands and hips and a smaller percentage
of OA of the knees.
The disease is responsible for more
trouble walking and stair climbing than any other disease,
and it is the most common indication for total
joint replacement of the hip and knee. Before age 50
the prevalence of OA in most joints is higher in men
than women. After this age, more women
are affected by OA of the hand, foot and knee. The occurrence of the
disease increases with age, rising 2- to 10-fold in people from 30 to 65
years of age.
In osteoarthritis, there is
focused, progressive loss of cartilage, the
slippery material that cushions the ends of bones, along with changes in
the bone below the cartilage leading to bony overgrowth. The
tissue lining of the joint can become inflamed, the ligaments looser,
and associated muscles weak, with resulting pain when the joint is
used.
A multidisciplinary group of
scientists has declared that osteoarthritis (OA), the
most common form of arthritis, is "surprisingly complex,".
At Your Dentist
Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis
take high doses of aspirin or other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs can increase bleeding
and possibly cause hemorrhage after surgical dental
procedures. Some people may be taking D-penicillamine,
steroids or other drugs that can weaken the immune system.
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Give your dentist a list of
your medications and their doses and let him or her
know about any drug sensitivities or allergies you may
have. |
If your temporomandibular joint is
involved in your arthritis, it may be difficult for you to
undergo very long dental procedures.
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You can have a few short appointments
instead of one long one or if the appointment is for
elective dental care, you can wait until you feel
better. |
Steroid therapy is also common in people
with rheumatoid arthritis. People on long-term steroid
therapy may not be able to cope with stress as well unless
they take a replacement dose of steroids.
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If you have been on steroids for more
than a few weeks or if you have a history of stress reactions after dental treatment, you may need to take
additional steroids before long or stressful
treatment. |
If you have had joint replacement, your
dentist may give you antibiotics before dental treatment
to prevent a bacterial infection in the joint.
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If you are scheduled for joint
replacement surgery, consider having all necessary
dental surgeries before the replacement to avoid the
need for antibiotics |
Once OA develops, certain factors put
a patient at risk for disability. These
include pain, depression, muscle weakness and poor
aerobic capacity.
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Acetaminophen can help mild or moderate joint pain in OA.
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The next drugs of choice are tramadol and nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).The use of NSAIDs is often associated with problems in
the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and kidney
problems. |
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Celecoxib and rofecoxib. |
| Opioid painkillers can also be used in patients with
OA. |
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Exercise is important in people with OA.
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Shock-absorbing footwear.
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Try sticking
the handle of a toothbrush or flosser device through a
tennis ball to help you grasp these items comfortably.
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Patient education "the
cornerstone" of osteoarthritis treatment.
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Updated
Material
The Dental Infections, Gum Disease Produces Astonishing
Blood Changes
Dr. Price noted
patients suffering from rheumatic disease were prone to
the withering away of their tissues. The emaciation
could range from 10 to 25 percent in ordinary cases and
35 to 40 percent in extreme ones. He reported that one
woman patient who had a normal weight of 130 dropped to
72 pounds. Upon removal of her dental infections, her
weight quickly climbed from 72 pounds to 111.
George Meini.From:
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/1235.php
February 06, 2006 UpToTop
Association Between
Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
An Australian study published in the
Journal of Periodontology found that participants who
had rheumatoid arthritis were more than twice as likely
to have periodontal disease with moderate to severe
jawbone loss as patients in the control group. In
addition, they averaged 11.6 missing teeth compared
with 6.7 in the control group. A higher percentage
of participants with rheumatoid arthritis had deeper
pocketing. Researchers are not stating that the
relationship between the two diseases is causal;
however, some scientists think a bacterial infection may
trigger the disease process in some with rheumatoid
arthritis. UpToTop
People With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Have More Periodontal Disease
Swollen
joints and missing teeth often go hand in hand. A new
study found that people who had rheumatoid arthritis
were more than twice as likely to have periodontal
disease with moderate to severe jawbone loss. They
averaged 11.6 missing teeth, compared to 6.7 in the
control group.
Periodontal
disease and rheumatoid arthritis have very similar
pathologies, damage caused by the immune system and
chronic inflammation are central to both diseases.
People with rheumatoid arthritis
should be on a close lookout for signs
of periodontal disease, such as red, swollen gums that
bleed easily. The earlier you detect periodontal disease
and treat it, the better off you are."
Journal of Periodontology,
Robert Genco, D.D.S., Ph.D
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Source:
The mission of the NIAMS is to support research into the
causes, treatment and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin
diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this
research and the dissemination of information on research progress in these
diseases. For more information about NIAMS, call our information clearinghouse
at 1-877-22-NIAMS or visit the NIAMS Web site at http://www.nih.gov/niams.
February 27, 2007
~We have NO financial investment in any of these products.
*Geriatric Hygiene. Dr. Shapiro,
Dentistry Today March 2001. pg 54-59
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