Dental Concerns and Lupus

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Dental Concerns and Lupus

by Gretchen Malik, Women's Health at Suite101.com

Communication, self-examination and prevention are the keys to

controlling dental problems for the lupus patient. Lupus patients

have specific dental problems because of the disease process and the

medications needed to control lupus symptoms.

Lupus patients should visit the dentist at regular intervals, usually

every two to six months, and inform him about current and past

medical history. Your dentist should also be supplied with a complete

list of medications, the dosage and any side effects. Also keep your

physician aware of any dental problems and any proposed treatment.

Get into the habit of regular self-examination of your mouth.

Periodontal disease, a group of inflammatory conditions that affect

the gums (gingiva) and supporting bone around each tooth, causes the

greatest amount of tooth loss in adults and affects almost

everyone. The most common periodontal disorders are gingivitis

(inflammation of the gingiva or gums) and periodontitis (inflammation

affecting the bone under the gingiva) does not cause pain and may not

give warning until significant tissue breakdown has occurred.

However, the presence of any of the following signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms of periodontal disease can be detected with self-

examination:

1. Bleeding gums: Gingiva bleeds on eating or brushing teeth, or

bleeds without any obvious cause.

2. Swollen gums: Enlarged gingiva is not bound tightly around each

tooth.

3. Red Gums: Gingiva is red in color. Dark colored gingiva due to

naturally occurring melanin (the substance which colors the gums) is

not an indication of inflammation.

4. Sensitive gums: Gingiva that is painful to brushing. Untreated

gingivitis can progress into the tissues under the gingiva and cause

the bone that supports the teeth to become weakened and resorb.

Periodontitis, a form of dental disease, is marked by bone loss and

will eventually lead to loosening or loss of teeth. It is usually

painless and may have the same signs and symptoms as gingivitis. If

any signs or symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis are noted, you

should tell his/her dentist. Your dentist can accurately diagnose and

treat periodontat disease.

Prevention is the best treatment for dental disease. The only way to

prevent periodontal disease is by effective tooth brushing

techniques. Tooth brushing must clean all five surfaces of each

tooth. The most critical area of the tooth to clean is immediately

adjacent or next to the gingiva or gums. Since a toothbrush cannot

clean the area between the teeth, dental floss, dental tape, rubber

tips, special brushes and stimulators are used to remove the plaque

that is deposited between teeth. It should take approximately three

minutes to brush your teeth thoroughly. Plaque that causes dental

cavities and periodontal disease accumulates on all tooth surfaces

and must be removed daily. Any areas of gingival sensitivity, tooth

sensitivity, or gingival bleeding require effective brushing or the

sensitivity and bleeding will get worse. If it hurts or if it

bleeds, it should be brushed harder.

Everyone with lupus should check the inside of their mouths regularly

for any red or irritated areas. If such areas are noticed, these

should be brought to the attention of the physician and dentist.

Approximately 25% of lupus patients have these kinds of oral

problems, which are usually accompanied by a skin irritation or

facial rash. Oral problems in lupus are also found on the lips and on

the tissue inside the cheeks. If you have an active oral problems do

not use denture powder or denture paste to hold in removable

dentures. If toothpaste irritates the mouth, baking soda and water

should be substituted for it.

You can learn to keep dental problems under control with preventive

maintenance.

Recommended Books:

Coping With Lupus: A Practical Guide to Alleviating the Challenges of

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by H. , et al.

Lupus: the Facts by Graham R. V.

New Hope for People with Lupus: Your Friendly, Authoritive Guide to

the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions by Sara J. Henry

© 2001 Gretchen Malik