Living with lupus can be challenging, as it affects various aspects of your health. One often overlooked aspect is how lupus can impact your dental health. From increased susceptibility to tooth decay to the discomfort of dry mouth, there are vital connections between lupus and your teeth. In this blog post, we’ll delve into why lupus can affect your teeth, the oral symptoms to watch out for, and how to properly care for your teeth while managing this autoimmune condition.
Lupus and Teeth Health: The Hidden Connection
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues, causing inflammation and a range of symptoms. While it primarily affects the skin, joints, and organs, lupus can also impact your oral health. Here’s how:
1. Dry Mouth: A Common Lupus Symptom
One of the most common oral symptoms of lupus is dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. A dry mouth occurs when your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health, as it helps cleanse the mouth and neutralizes acids, preventing tooth decay.
2. Increased Risk of Tooth Decay:
With reduced saliva flow, lupus patients are more prone to tooth decay and cavities. Saliva contains essential minerals that strengthen tooth enamel and prevent acid erosion. Without an adequate saliva supply, teeth become vulnerable to decay.
3. Mouth Sores:
Lupus can cause mouth sores, also known as ulcers, which can be painful and make oral hygiene more challenging. These sores can affect your gums, tongue, and the lining of your cheeks.
Proper Dental Care for Lupus Patients
Taking care of your teeth is crucial for lupus patients to maintain overall health. Here are some tips to help you manage your dental health effectively:
1. Regular Dental Check-ups:
Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings. This helps catch any dental issues early and prevents complications. I know how tempting it is to skip out on the dentist because at the moment your teeth “feel fine” but I want you to keep something my dentist told me in the back of your mind. “I’ve never seen tooth decay progress this fast.”My teeth felt fine but they weren’t. GO TO THE DENTIST. With the predisposition to tooth decay caused by lupus the health of your teeth is not something you want to play around with.
2. Maintain Good Oral Hygiene:
Good oral hygiene includes; flossing 1x a day, tongue scraping, brushing your teeth 2x a day, oil pulling (talk to dentist for frequency), and practicing healthy teeth habits (ex: waiting 30 minutes after eating to brush your teeth to protect your enamel) Not everyone was taught why having a full oral hygiene routine is important or how to do it. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist and have them walk you through how to build a routine that works for your teeth. I used to hate going to the dentist before I found my forever dentist. I did a lot of research reading reviews and it paid off. I enjoy seeing my dentist because she has helped me understand oral health and how to properly take care of my teeth. I made sure to go to a dentist that had good reviews from people with Lupus. Which wasn’t that hard to find surprisingly in my area.
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3. Combat Dry Mouth:
If you experience dry mouth, stay hydrated by drinking water regularly. Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies can stimulate saliva production. You can also discuss saliva-stimulating products with your dentist. My dentist recommended these xlyiMelts I like them because they stick to the roof of your mouth (or the side of your cheek if you prefer). I no longer need them anymore since starting my Autoimmune healing journey. But when I first got diagnosed with lupus my teeth were hit hard. I went to the dentist and out of nowhere was told I had four cavities. Dry mouth was one of the driving factors of my teeth health declining quickly. So everyone else learn from my mistake and talk to your dentist if you have a dry mouth. I thought it was normal but it’s not and it can really harm your teeth.
4. Coconut Oil Pulling:
Coconut oil pulling can help combat dry mouth, increase saliva flow, reduce inflammation, aid with bad breath, and reduce harmful bacteria. Coconut oil pulling can even reverse cavity decay on the enamel layer of the teeth. After the first time I oil pulled I could instantly tell a difference in how my teeth felt. After a couple of months, my teeth felt stronger and healthier than ever. Now my mom and my sister oil pull regularly as well! Extra-virgin coconut oil works if you don’t mind chewing it up to emulsify it. Personally, it was extremely difficult for me to do because of the texture. I opt for a liquid version now. It’s a little bit more expensive but 100% worth it to not have to deal with chewing a glob of coconut oil before swishing it around.
5. Electric toothbrush and waterpik
My dentist convinced me to get an electric toothbrush and water picture set and now I will never go back to a regular toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes remove the human error aspect of dental hygiene. Most come with timers and pressure sensors to make sure your teeth are being brushed adequately and safely. I linked the one my dentist recommended for me it is $79 but it was well worth the money. My teeth feel like I went to the dentist and got a cleaning every day! I asked for it for Christmas and it’s been one of my favorite gifts I got last year!
How to oil pull as recommended by Sinada Dental:
- Take one tablespoon of coconut oil
- Swish the oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Push and pull the oil through your teeth to target bacteria hiding in between teeth.
- DO NOT SWALLOW THE COCONUT OIL. Oil pulling is the process of pulling bacteria out of the mouth which now resides in the oil. You do not want to swallow your used coconut oil. Spit into the trash can, never your sink or toilet. Coconut oil can build up in pipes causing a clog.
- After spitting the coconut oil out in the trash, rinse your mouth with water then brush your teeth as you would normally.
Oil pulling best practices:
- When you first start oil pulling start with 5-minute intervals and gradually increase the time spent oil pulling.
- To maximize results oil pulling can be done a few times a week.
6. Tongue Scraping:
Tongue scraping is used to remove bacteria, food debris, and bacteria from the surface of the tongue. A clean tongue contributes to fresher breath and better overall oral hygiene. On top of all the benefits tongue scraping also stimulates saliva production which is great for people with lupus suffering from dry mouth. It sounds gross but try it out at least one time and feel how clean your mouth feels and how fresh your breath is. A tongue scraper is a few bucks and is a MUST in my oral care routine.
Check out other Lupus related post:
Understanding the connection between lupus and teeth health is crucial for managing your overall well-being. By being aware of the potential oral symptoms and following proper dental care, you can ensure your teeth remain healthy. Remember, a healthy smile is a vital part of a healthy life.
