Autoimmune disorders often complicate peoples’ oral health, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is no exception. Scientists have recently made great strides in understanding how this disease affects the gums, and we want patients at Dr. Amit Pandya’s dental practice in New Hyde Park to know what they’re facing.
People with RA have extremely high rates of gum disease. A recent study by Johns Hopkins found the number could be as high as 70%. While scientists formerly believed this was because people with RA have difficulty moving their hands, they noticed that people whose RA was still in its early stages also had high rates of gingivitis.
New research has found similarities between gum tissue and synovium, the joint lining that becomes inflamed when the immune system mistakenly attacks it. Some of the medications that are used to combat RA may also cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of gingivitis. Patients may need an electric toothbrush to maintain their oral hygiene, as well as throat moisturizers and water picks. They can also reduce their risk of RA and other oral health diseases by not smoking.
The office of Amit Pandya, DDS, is at 1575 Hillside Ave, Suite 207, New Hyde Park, New York, 11040. To schedule an appointment, call 516-233-2135, or visit his website at Going Grin and fill out a contact sheet.
