General Chat

People who have both gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis can relieve both conditions by treating their mouth infection, US researchers have found.

Patients who had treatments such as scaling and improved oral hygiene also saw their arthritis symptoms lessened.

Gum care plus arthritis drugs was the best combination, the Journal of Periodontology study found.

Dental experts said the work supported previous research which found removing teeth could relieve arthritic pain.

Gum disease is prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis - and vice versa. In both conditions, soft and hard tissues are destroyed due to inflammation caused by toxins from bacterial infection.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable disease affecting mainly the small joints such as hands and feet, and affects around half a million people in the UK.
More:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8084647.stm
Brian(i)

I don't agree with the removal of the teeth part.
Brian(i)

I thought that this would have been of interest.
Brian(i)

I find this interesting, Brian, thanks. I have osteo arthritis but I suppose it can affect that too. I have always understood gum disease could cause or exacerbate heart disease. I worry as I have badly receding gums, it seems to run in the family and I am very long in the tooth already, not sure how some of my teeth hang in there lol - now there's a picture I have conjured up for you lol

I was told to use L******ne mouthwash twice daily to help keep infection at bay, and have been doing that for a while now. I also grind and clench my teeth when sleeping due to stress etc so feel that isn't helping. I do visit the dentist regularly - I can't understand how people can neglect their teeth when a smile is the first thing you notice about a person most of the time, don't you think?

Lizxx

Hi Purple....
I had heard that gum problems can relate to heart disease. I too am getting "long in the tooth" so can sympathise with that. When I was young I must admit that giving my teeth a quick "once-over" once a day was enough for me then. Alas, lack of information about dental hygiene back in the 50s/60s exacerbated the problem. Dental hygienists were unheard of then and most of the "practitioners" were butchers - i.e. extraction is better than cure! Hence my rather pronounced phobia of the dental industry nowadays - even though treatments have improved. The L*****e mouthwash you mentioned nearly made me hit the roof when I tried it! Much too strong!
Sorry to waffle on, but.....

The new L Mouthwash isn't too bad but I use half the amount they tell you to, my mouth isn't that big and I am sure the amount I use is plenty.
Agree we didn't get the info we have now, but my problem is sort of hereditary, my Mum had all her teeth removed before she was 21 and her present for her birthday from her Dad (her Mum died when she was 16) was a set of false teeth! Her problem was gum disease and she had heart problems in later life, with angina and three heart attacks, the last one fatal.

My first visit to a dentist was when I was sent by the school dentist to a dreadful barbaric place where I had a big rubber plug stuck in my mouth, was given gas and my tooth, teeth pulled out, I think it was my two front ones, no idea why, I can't remember and no one to ask now. I don't think I was even told it would happen, I just remember seeing crying children coming out of the door of a room with lumps of cotton wool in their mouths, what a way to treat kids eh? i suppose my mother thought she was doing her best and not scaring me before hand......

We did go regularly to a dentist after that, but he wasn't much good I don't think.

Lizx

Oh, my goodness, Purple! We seem to be kindred spirits! Sounds as if your childhood dental clinic was the same as mine! Brought it all back now!
The rubber plug, mask for the gas and no inkling of what it was all about! Ugh! And, as you say, the kids coming out to a row of sinks to wash out with the pink disinfectant stuff! Ugh, again!
Well, I'm not going to continue as I have an appointment with the hygenist in a couple of weeks' time and I'm already traumatised at the thought of it! Just hope we haven't put anyone else of dentists for the moment... LOL!

Jan, it was so awful wasn't it? I wish I could remember what my Mum said as to why I had a day off school and where she was taking me! I didn't know to be scared cos I had never been to a dentist before, only checked by the school ones which wasn't the same. I drive past the place where the hut was many times a month and often remember the occasion.

I am sure things will be easier on your next visit lol

Lizxx

My husband has both rheumatoid and osteo arthritis.

He had deep root scaling every six months.

The arthritis pain is still the same, and if anything is getting worse.

Deb

Hi

I believe that gum disease can be improved with large doses of vitamin C - remember scurvy?

Regards, Margot