{"id":1344,"date":"2020-01-24T06:58:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T06:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodbridgedentalcare.com\/?p=1344"},"modified":"2020-01-07T19:03:03","modified_gmt":"2020-01-07T19:03:03","slug":"woodbridge-va-dentist-periodontal-disease-and-rheumatoid-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodbridgedentalcare.com\/Dentist-Lake-Ridge\/woodbridge-va-dentist-periodontal-disease-and-rheumatoid-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Woodbridge VA Dentist | Periodontal disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Dentist<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are a systemic inflammatory disorder, which is how they have a connection. Both diseases frustrate the immune system and attacks its own tissues, eventually leading to tooth loss and pain of joints. Learn about the connection and what you can do to protect your overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies show\na strong connection between RA and gum disease, an inflammatory condition that\ncan lead to tooth loss and other health complications. Both diseases have inflammation\nin common, which explains the connection. Inflammation is a protective immune\nsystem response to viruses and bacteria. RA is an autoimmune disease which\ncauses it to mistakenly trigger inflammation even if there are no viruses or\nbacteria present. Also, Brushing and flossing can be challenging for those with\nRA. In the journal PLoS Pathogens, they found that the bacteria that causes\nperiodontal disease, Porphyromonas\ngingivalis,<\/em> increases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, leads to an\nearlier onset of the disease, and causes symptoms to progress quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is\nimportant for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to be brushing, flossing,\nand seeing your dentist regularly. It is very important to work with your\ndoctors to find out what works best for you.  People who have both gum disease and RA should\nhave an informed care team comprised of both a physician and a periodontist. If\nyou don\u2019t have a periodontist, you should get an evaluation from your dentist\nevery year to monitor the status of your gums. Research has found that when\npatients with RA successfully treat gum disease, pain and other symptoms get\nbetter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For patients\nwith RA, one must pay close attention to oral health and schedule regular\ndental exams, eat healthy and always brush and floss. If you have trouble\ntaking care of your teeth due to stiff, painful hands or jaws, speak to your\ndentist or therapist about ways to make dental care easier. Here are some tips\nas to how you can make dental care easier to manage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n