The systemic inflammation related to MS can directly affect nerves in the mouth and face — gums included. Inflammation can also affect the bones, nerves, mucous membranes, and skin in and around the mouth. Such inflammation often results in pain, sensory changes, mouth ulcers (oral lesions), and other issues.
There is a cause and effect relationship between MS and dental health. One of the main characteristics and symptoms of MS is heightened levels of inflammation. This happens as a result of the immune system deteriorating. Gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease are more likely to occur because of this.
Patients who have MS sometimes lack saliva. Dry mouth makes chewing, swallowing, and speaking more difficult. It can also lead to tooth loss because saliva isn't helping wash away decay-causing food residue and bacteria. Patients with advanced MS often have trouble swallowing.
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.
weak grip – making it hard to brush for very long or hold the brush the right way. problems with coordination, sensation, or tremor – all making it harder to brush effectively. mood changes, including depression – affecting the motivation to keep teeth clean.
A study by Spanish researchers showed that people who have MS have high rates of dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal (gum) disease. These problems can impact overall health in a number of ways. “Good oral hygiene has been shown to be very important,” says Kashani.
Numbness of the face, body or extremities (arms and legs) is one of the most common symptoms of MS. It may be the first MS symptom you experienced. The numbness may be mild or so severe that it interferes with your ability to use the affected body part.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) - a stabbing pain in the face or jaw area that can occur as an initial symptom of MS or as a relapse. While it can be confused with dental pain, this pain is neuropathic in origin (caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve).
Sjogren's Syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect dental health.
Trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, severe facial pain. It's often described as a sharp shooting pain or like having an electric shock in the jaw, teeth or gums. It usually happens in short, unpredictable attacks that can last from a few seconds to about 2 minutes. The attacks stop as suddenly as they start.
As the pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia is often felt in the jaw, teeth or gums, many people with the condition visit a dentist before going to a GP. The dentist will ask you about your symptoms and give you a dental X-ray to help them investigate your facial pain.
Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer.
There is a high prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in MS, such as pain and difficulty opening the mouth and TMJ sounds, which can be attributed to myofascial and neck pain. Some studies also report teeth grinding, dental hypersensitivity, and xerostomia [12,13].
In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. Periodontal disease is mostly seen in adults. Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the two biggest threats to dental health.
People with MS are 20 times more likely to experience trigeminal neuralgia than those without MS. Often described as a sharp shooting pain in the face, it's the result of damage to the trigeminal nerve.
Electrical, burning or recurrent stabbing pain sometimes occurs with MS, especially on the head. Severe bouts of pain lasting seconds to minutes from the ear to the jaw, cheek or forehead is known as trigeminal neuralgia.
Trigeminal neuralgia, which is a type of chronic nerve pain in your face, is common with multiple sclerosis (MS). It may feel like a stabbing or burning sensation on the side of your face. People who don't have MS sometimes have trigeminal neuralgia, but it's more common with MS.
Many multiple sclerosis symptoms can make it difficult to adequately care for the teeth (hand numbness, pain, spasticity, etc.) leading to dental caries, periodontal disease, and other conditions due to neglect. Oral self-care instructions should be based on the patient's functional ability and values.
Conclusions and clinical implications: Dry mouth and bleeding from gums are more frequent in patients with longer lasting and more advanced types of MS.
In MS, the nerves that control these muscles can become damaged causing weakness and incoordination that can provoke swallowing problems. In addition, numbness of the mouth and throat can occur that can make chewing and swallowing difficult.
MS Medications and Oral Health
DMTs can increase the risk of needing a root canal because they are linked to an increase in the risk of infections. Some medications used to treat MS symptoms have oral and dental side effects, such as dry mouth, which can lead to dental problems.