Your immune system helps defend your body from potential illnesses. In a perfect world, it would only focus on outside pathogens, but in some people, the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. When this occurs, an autoimmune disease develops. These conditions can not only adversely affect your overall well-being, but also your mouth. Read on to discover how autoimmune disorders impact your oral health.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
The whole purpose of the immune system is to protect your body from foreign microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, that make you sick. However, the human body is not perfect. Sometimes, the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy cells and tissues. This is called an autoimmune disorder.
Each autoimmune disease is different, but many of them can cause symptoms to appear in your mouth that could otherwise put your oral health in danger.
How Autoimmune Diseases Affect Your Dental Health
There are more than 80 known autoimmune diseases with a varying array of symptoms. They can impact your oral health in many ways, such as:
Saliva
One of the more common autoimmune conditions, Sjögren’s syndrome, often targets the glands that help your body produce moisture. Because this includes your salivary glands, people with Sjögren’s syndrome tend to have chronic dry mouth. Without adequate saliva, bacteria and food debris don’t get rinsed off of your teeth as effectively, increasing the risk of cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Swallowing
About 50% of people with psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder affecting the skin, have it on their face. In some cases, it can also affect the mouth, causing bleeding, redness, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.
Scleroderma is another autoimmune condition that inhibits the ability to swallow. It causes abnormal growth of connective tissue in the blood vessels and skin. Eventually, the skin may become extremely thick, making swallowing difficult.
Mouth Ulcers
Crohn’s disease is mainly known for affecting the intestines, but in many people, it may present oral symptoms first. Signs may include mouth ulcers and swelling of the lips or gums.
Systemic lupus erythematosus can damage many body parts, such as the joints, skin, and kidneys, but also the mouth. It may cause mouth ulcers in addition to a butterfly rash across the face.
How to Keep Your Smile Healthy
If you have an autoimmune disorder, good oral hygiene is more crucial than ever. Be sure to brush and floss every single day. Depending on the specifics of your health, you may need to attend dental checkups and cleanings more often than most people. Your dentist will let you know.
Autoimmune diseases are often difficult to diagnose. So, if you experience any unusual symptoms, tell your dentist or doctor right away. It can keep your smile and overall health in good condition.
About the Author
At iSmile Dental Arts in Williamstown, NJ, Dr. Willy Kassem has been providing top-notch dental care to patients of all ages for more than a decade. As such, he has been named one of America’s top dentists for several consecutive years. He takes a preventive approach to oral healthcare, providing personalized guidance for every patient. To learn more about how autoimmune disorders impact your oral health, you can contact Dr. Kassem’s practice at (856)-818-9998.
