Because multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder, many people may not realize that it can affect oral health as well. Yet the symptoms of MS can interfere with proper care of the teeth and gums, as can some medications used to treat MS symptoms, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS).
The inflammation characterizing MS can affect not only nerves but also the mouth's inner lining (mucous membranes). Painful sores in the mouth and on the tongue can result. Burning mouth syndrome is the presence of pain similar to sunburn or electric shock in oral membranes that appear normal.
The systemic inflammation related to MS can directly affect nerves in the mouth and face — gums included.
Abstract. Socket sclerosis is usually asymptomatic and does not require any treatment. The only potential complication arises during orthodontic treatment, wherein sclerosed socket of the premolar teeth may be an obstacle in closing the space by movement of teeth through the extraction space.
Explain how MS affects you to your dentist
Tell them you have MS and the symptoms you get. Mention if you think your symptoms could make it difficult to sit in the chair, or have treatment. For example, if you get muscle spasms, or if you might need to use the toilet at short notice.
People living with MS may be at increased risk of dental diseases due to variety of factors such as reduced manual dexterity to undertake tooth brushing. Some of the side effects of medications taken for MS, cause a reduction in saliva in the mouth (Xerostomia) which increases the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
MS patients may have lesions of the brainstem affecting the direct nerve supply to the tongue and throat muscles. More commonly in my experience, multiple lesions (MS plaques) involving both cerebral hemispheres of the brain cause a lack of coordination of the tongue and throat swallowing muscles.
In MS, the word lesion refers to an area of damage or scarring (sclerosis) in the central nervous system. Lesions are sometimes also called plaques. They are thought to be caused by inflammation that results from the immune system attacking the myelin sheath around nerves.
Both MS and SS are autoimmune diseases. Whereas MS impacts only the central nervous system (CNS), SS can impact multiple organs and organ systems throughout the body. There are two types of SS: localized cutaneous SS, affecting only the skin, and diffuse SS, affecting both the skin and organs.
The name multiple sclerosis refers to the scars (sclerae – better known as plaques or lesions) that form in the nervous system. These lesions most commonly affect the white matter in the optic nerve, brain stem, basal ganglia, and spinal cord, or white matter tracts close to the lateral ventricles.
Oral nerve injury caused by trauma during medical or dental procedures is marked by constant pain, aching, burning, numbness or tingling in the mouth, tongue or lip. Nerve damage may also result in loss of sensation in these areas.
Different Types of MS Facial Twitching
Continuous facial myokymia: This can feel kind of like an eyelid twitch (myokymia). But you'll get ongoing spasms in other areas, such as your forehead, cheek, mouth, and chin. These twinges are relatively common in people who have MS.
Previous studies linked jaw clenching/bruxism and temporal bone movement in patients with MS. The displacement of cranial bones can cause fluid pressure changes in the ventricles and damage brain tissue around them [27].
Tongue sores with MS are often described as discomfort, burning, or soreness of the tongue: “My tongue hurts as if I burned it,” said one MyMSTeam member. “It is difficult to eat because my tongue is painfully sore. It even hurts to swallow my own saliva.” You may feel that certain foods make symptoms worse.
If MS has weakened the coughing muscles too, it may be more difficult to eject the particles and they may enter your lungs (called aspiration) or choking may occur. Sometimes, reduced sensation in the mouth means that saliva is not swallowed away so automatically. This can result in dribble escaping from the lips.
Some of the most common early signs are: fatigue (a kind of exhaustion which is out of all proportion to the task undertaken) stumbling more than before. unusual feelings in the skin (such as pins and needles or numbness)
There is a new blood test that may monitor multiple sclerosis disease activity better in clinically stable patients. The test is called sNfL (serum neurofilament). It measures the breakdown of a certain part of neurons, which occurs when multiple sclerosis is attacking the nervous system.
DIS principle requires that there are asymptomatic lesions typical of MS present in 2 or more sites within the central nervous system: periventricular, subcortical, infrantentorial, and spinal cord.
Multiple sclerosis lesions can occur in any portion of the cerebellar white matter and peduncles, frequently involving the middle and superior cerebellar peduncles (Fig. 3). However, prominent involvement of this region is also seen in anti-MOG-IgG disease and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
MS lesions can form in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. Within a lesion, there is a loss of myelin — a process referred to as demyelination — that often is accompanied by scarring, or sclerosis.
When you have MS, your own immune system attacks the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. That can cause numbness or strange sensations, including in your tongue or face. MS can make it harder for you to chew or swallow and more likely for you to bite your tongue or the inner side of your cheeks.
Tooth decay and gum disease can develop without enough saliva. The other side effects of MS medication, like oral ulcers and swollen gums, make it painful or even impossible to brush and floss properly.
Disorders of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal nerve) cause weakness or wasting (atrophy) of the tongue on the affected side. This nerve moves the tongue. Hypoglossal nerve disorders may be caused by tumors, strokes, infections, injuries, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.