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Artisan Dentistry's Blog

Rheumatoid Arthritis & Oral Health

Apr 18th, 2017
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Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that afflicts over 1.3 million Americans. Many people don’t realize that there are serious oral health risks that have been associated with arthritis. Current research suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at a greater risk for gum disease and other oral health issues.

Do you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis? Do not fear: below are three steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy!

One of the most common forms of bacteria buildup in the mouth, gingivitis, causes an “inflammation of the gums and tissues” and because rheumatoid arthritis patients are more susceptible to “chronic inflammatory diseases” it puts them at a higher risk of developing the disease. Also, because of the stiffness created from rheumatoid arthritis, the process of brushing and flossing could also be affected, again potentially leading to more bacteria forming in the oral cavities.

Patients cannot rid themselves of this arthritis however, so what can they do specifically to help them from forming this bacteria buildup?

1. Checkups

First things first! It is important to schedule regular checkups with your local dentist so he or she can help you monitor your dental health and overall oral hygiene. If problems arise, they should be the first to know and will be the first to help you back to a normal healthy smile!

2. Electronics

If you find it has been getting harder to hold a regular toothbrush during your daily routine, try making the switch to an electronic toothbrush! Electronic brushes are terrific at cleaning all the “nooks and crannies” of your teeth without the grinding, repetitive motion associated with using a regular toothbrush.

3. Prescriptions

There are toothpastes and mouthwashes available that require a prescription (your dentist can write this for you). These aim to assist in bacteria prevention in the mouth with a greater intensity than your average off-the-shelf brands.

If you take the proper precaution and see your local Newburyport, MA or Salem, NH dentist regularly, living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and a healthy mouth will be possible!

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Anyone can train to be a technician, but few have the talent to become an artist. That’s why Dr. Mathew is able to guarantee his cosmetic dentistry work for a full 5 years. If anything goes wrong with the work, Dr. Mathew will fix it free of charge, as long as you continue with your regular 6 month preventative care cleaning and check up for the duration of the warranty.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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Here at Paul Mathew, D.D.S. we work diligently to protect our patients' privacy. Requesting an appointment via our Internet portal is considered part of what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has identified as electronically protected healthcare information or ePHI. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are people or entities that may attempt to intercept the data you transmit to us. By checking the "I agree" box, and electronically making an appointment request, you acknowledge that you are making an appointment over the internet and that Paul Mathew, D.D.S. will keep this information confidential but cannot guarantee that others, outside of our practice, may illegally intercept this communication. By accepting these terms and conditions and sending this request via our Internet portal, you accept the inherent risk(s) associated with making this request for an appointment. If you do not accept the terms and conditions, you are always welcome to contact our office via telephone to schedule your appointment.

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The information presented here is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should be used for informational purposes only.