If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are at increased risk for gum disease. We provide compassionate, up-to-date care at the Flushing dental office of Dr. Farid Hakimzadeh. If you suffer from frequent gingivitis, we want you to be aware of the possible causes.
While 35% of the general population has gum disease, it is twice as common in people with RA. That statistic comes from a Johns Hopkins study that found RA is common even in people who are not yet experiencing difficulty moving their hands and are still maintaining good oral hygiene. Other studies have looked for a common pathway between RA and gum disease, and have found similarities between gum tissue and synovium. RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body is under attack from its own immune system. Synovium is joint lining, and as the body attacks it, it swells, resulting in joint pain.
Nobody knows why RA develops, but it seems to be a combination of genetics and environmental or behavioral triggers, such as smoking. Researchers are not attempting to determine whether gum disease can trigger RA, or if improving oral hygiene can reduce RA symptoms. Regardless, it is clear that people with RA need additional oral hygiene support.
Farid Hakimzadeh, DDS, operates Fresh Meadows Dental Care at 58-47 Francis Lewis Blvd., Suite 100, Flushing, New York, 11364. To schedule an appointment, call 718-224-7272 or visit Fresh Meadows Dental and fill out a contact form.
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