Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your teeth? [causes & Symptoms]

Can rheumatoid arthritis affect your teeth? What is dental arthritis (desmodontitis)? What causes dental arthritis? The symptoms? The treatments? What is the link between dental arthritis and a devitalized tooth? What natural treatments can be used to relieve dental arthritis? And finally, how to prevent dental arthritis?

I. What Is Dental Arthritis?

Desmodontitis is the other known name for dental arthritis. It is an inflammation of the desmodontium, the tissue that keeps the root of the tooth anchored in the gum. The desmodontium was once called the alveolar-dental ligament.

Desmodontitis is an inflammation of this ligament, which causes pain and discomfort. This inflammation of the dental ligament can be acute or chronic and affects the tooth attached to this ligament.

II. Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Your Teeth [Causes]

1. Infection of the Pulp of a Tooth

Infection of the pulp of the tooth is one of the causes of desmodontitis. A tooth pulp infection can be caused by tooth decay.

Tooth decay is a bacterial pathology. Bacteria can spread into the periodontal muscle. All these toxins can cause dental arthritis.

Inflammation of the dental ligament is caused by necrosis of the pulp tissue, and by dead microorganisms.

2. Link with Sinusitis

Sinusitis can also cause, in the long term, desmodontitis. Sinusitis is a pathology whose first symptoms are the inflammation of the cavities near the nasal passages.

Colds and allergies can cause sinusitis. The teeth closest to the sinuses affected by acute sinusitis can be affected by desmodontitis.

3. Bruxism

Bruxism is the grinding of teeth, especially at night, while sleeping. This pathology is responsible for many oral disorders.

Teeth grinding eventually affects the desmodont. The pressure exerted on the ligament during bruxism can cause inflammation of the alveolar-dental ligament.

4. Physical Shock

Physical shock can also be a cause of desmodontitis. It can be an occlusal disorder, a harmful tick, or even a bite.

These different types of shocks can weaken desmodontitis and cause inflammation.

5. Drug Aggression (reaction)

Inflammation of the desmodont can also be a side effect of certain medications.

This can happen with the paste used by the dentist to block a hole in a tooth or the gum. Some people react badly to the components of the paste and develop an inflammation of the gums.

This kind of allergy is almost impossible to prevent because everyone has a different sensitivity to the products.

III. Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Your Teeth [The Symptoms]

One of the symptoms of desmodontitis is a feeling of the long teeth. The tooth affected by the inflammation of the dental ligament becomes mobile and causes impotence in chewing.

You will also feel a stabbing and uninterrupted pain, which even painkillers will not be able to calm down.

Congestion forms, and later edema develops. In the area of the inflamed gum, redness may also appear.

Although less frequent, dental abscesses can also form in cases of dental arthritis.

IV. Treatment of Dental Arthritis

The treatment of dental arthritis is first and foremost the treatment of the cause of arthritis. If the arthritis is related to an infectious cavity or inflammation of the teeth, then the condition must be treated first.

Antibiotics will be prescribed if an infection has caused the inflammation of the teeth.

To fight pain, anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed. This is a way to act, but only on the symptoms of dental arthritis.

Apart from that, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs should be taken for 5 days.

V. Dental Arthritis and Devitalized Tooth

Dental arthritis can develop on a devitalized tooth, or after a treatment at the dentist.

In the case of a root canal, the canal may not have been properly cleaned and bacteria may have settled in.

The devitalized tooth can be the source of dental arthritis if it is infected. Desmodontitis related to a devitalized tooth is treated like any other inflammation of the desdomonde.

It is necessary to act on the cause while relieving the patient of the symptoms.

VI. Natural Treatments to Relieve Dental Arthritis

1. Essential Oils

Essential oils can help with dental arthritis, especially to soothe the pain associated with this condition.

You can use tea tree essential oil for its antibacterial and pain-relieving properties.

Mix a few drops with vegetable oil. Put some of this oil amalgam on a cotton ball and apply it to the inflamed area.

Clary sage essential oil is also useful for inflammation and should be mixed with vegetable oil.

2. Clove

Clove is the ideal product in case of dental pain. You can take it as a mouthwash or in oil.

Boil some cloves and let them cool. Once the mixture is cold, you can use it as a mouthwash.

As an oil, you can put a drop of clove essential oil on your finger and gently massage it into your gums, over the area of inflammation.

3. Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment can be used while waiting for your consultation with your dentist, to treat your dental arthritis.

A simple course of treatment for dental pain is 2 granules of Ammonium Carbonicum 5 CH and 2 granules of Arnica Montana 5 CH every two hours.

VII. Prevention of Dental Arthritis

Prevention of dental arthritis is done through rigorous dental hygiene.

Brush your teeth meticulously three times a day, remembering to floss and rinse your mouth daily.

Flossing and rinsing your mouth allows for more thorough cleaning of your entire mouth, removing food scraps and bacteria that brushing may have prevented.

A visit to the dentist at least once a year is necessary. Your dentist is the best person to perform a deep scaling and cleaning of your teeth.

Dental arthritis is an inflammation of the dentures, caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

VIII. Other Questions About Desmodontitis (Dental Arthritis)

1. Dental Arthritis and Implants

Dental arthritis can also be caused by an implant or an incorrectly placed prosthesis. The pressure of the implant on the gum can in the long run cause an inflammation of the denture.

If you have developed dental arthritis as a result of an implant or brace, your dentist will readjust or remove it to help you get better.

2. Can Stress Cause Dental Arthritis?

Although there are no studies on the direct impact of stress on dental arthritis, stress is the cause of many dental conditions. In fact, bruxism is a manifestation of stress.

It is also responsible for dental arthritis, which means that you can develop dental arthritis if you are stressed.

3. How Long Does Dental Arthritis Last?

Dental arthritis lasts for several days. It can also progress into flare-ups. Seeing your dentist is the best way to get rid of it permanently.

4. Is There a Link Between Dental Arthritis and Dental Pain?

Dental pain can be a symptom of dental arthritis. With dental arthritis, the dentures are inflamed, which can be painful.

It is also possible that dental pain is the cause of dental arthritis. This is especially the case if the pain is caused by improperly installed braces or tooth decay.

Infections such as tooth decay or improperly fitted braces can cause dental arthritis.