Tooth Decay, Dental Caries, and Lupus

Tooth Decay and Lupus Symptoms Tooth decay is both more frequent for people with lupus, and more serious. Protecting against tooth decay also protects against its side effects, which can be even worse than toothaches and losing teeth. Mouth Bacteria, Infection, and Lupus Although it is healthy for people with lupus to have some bacteria in their mouths, they cause problems when they are too abundant. These bacteria may be fairly safe in the mouth, but if they get into the lungs or bloodstream, they can cause a lot of trouble. Several studies link tooth decay to higher levels of inflammation in generally healthy people. For Lupus Warriors or people with compromised immune systems, issues may compound. People with lupus are at a higher risk of: blood infections (through injured or inflamed gums, through sores in the mouth, and through infections at the root of the tooth) pneumonia (through inhaling mouth bacteria into the lungs) increased bacteria Tooth Decay, Inflammation, and Lupus The immune system can also react to bacteria in the bloodstream with less severe symptoms. It can trigger an inflammation response, and cause lupus flares. Gums irritated due to plaque build up can also trigger inflammation. And, of course, the constant pain of a toothache is a source of stress, another trigger of flares. Mouth Pain and Lupus It is important, even with all of the other pain that lupus can bring, to not trivialize the pain of cavities and tooth decay. Cavities can be very painful when they reach the nerve. If you have never had a cavity and a toothache before, consider yourself fortunate. The dental procedures used to remove infected and painful teeth, including tooth removal and root canals, are also painful and unpleasant, and frequently require recovery time. The pain from toothaches and the dental procedures required to fix them can be very stressful and trigger a flare on their own. However, they can interfere with health in other ways. Tooth and mouth pain make eating and drinking more difficult, impacting hydration, nutrition, weight, and energy levels. It also interferes with concentration, making tasks and chores more difficult to handle, and it interferes with sleep, affecting cognitive functioning.

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