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.
One common side effect is dry mouth. “Dry mouth usually goes along with tooth decay that is very difficult to treat,” says Kashani. “It can progress very quickly to the nerve, and if you don't catch it in time, the patient can lose the tooth.”
Individuals with MS are at increased risk for dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis due to the physical effects of MS, as well as these patients' reduced immune response.
As gum disease (also known as periodontitis) progresses, patients can experience tenderness and bleeding, bad breath, discharge from the gums, and teeth that shift, feel loose, or even fall out.
Periodontitis is considered an autoimmune disease because your body's immune system is attacking your own tissues due to the ongoing chronic inflammation.
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.
Neurologic conditions facing the dentist include abnormalities associated with the cranial nerves, facial sensory loss, facial paralysis, and conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and myasthenia gravis.
For dental patients with multiple sclerosis, dental implants can be immensely helpful, as they support the denture and minimize its chances of slipping or dislodging, and they don't interfere with the patient's ability to talk or to swallow.
Establishing a causal relationship between the virus and the disease has been difficult because EBV infects approximately 95% of adults, MS is a relatively rare disease, and the onset of MS symptoms begins about 10 years after EBV infection.
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.
Gum disease—Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is the No. 1 cause of tooth loss in adults. It is a serious infection that affects the soft tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Without treatment, gum disease can destroy the supporting bone and cause tooth loss.
The Trigeminal Nerve
One trigeminal nerve runs to the right side of the head, while the other runs to the left. Each of these nerves has three distinct branches. "Trigeminal" derives from the Latin word "tria," which means three, and "geminus," which means twin.
If left unchecked, the condition morphs into “advanced periodontitis.” The structures below the gumline are destroyed and, as a result, teeth become loose. For the diabetic patient, especially one coping with neuropathy that impacts the oral structures, it's the perfect storm.
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.
Ongoing gum irritation and swelling, called inflammation, can cause periodontitis. Eventually this causes deep pockets to form between your gums and teeth. These pockets fill with plaque, tartar and bacteria and become deeper over time. If not treated, these deep infections cause a loss of tissue and bone.
What causes bone loss around teeth? Bone loss is quite common, usually as a result of either missing teeth or advanced periodontitis (or peri-implantitis). In the first year after losing a tooth, 25% of the surrounding bone is lost and it will continue to wear away over time.
The Importance of Dental Health with a Weak Immune System. When your body's defense system is weakened, it is more susceptible to germs. Your mouth contains a huge number of germs that can cause serious infections. This is why it is said that a human bite is the most serious bite of all animals.
People with more advanced MS are more likely to experience altered smell. A study of 50 people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) or secondary progressive MS (SPMS) reported that 40 percent of patients experienced hyposmia, specifically regarding a reduced ability to detect odors (i.e., higher odor threshold).
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.