DENTAL PROBLEMS AND LUPUS

[Guest guest]

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 periodontal 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.

By Gretchen Malik at:

http://www.healingwell.com/library/lupus/malik1.asp