Autoimmune situations have an effect on how the physique’s immune system works.
As an alternative of solely preventing an infection, the immune system mistakenly assaults wholesome tissue.
There are greater than 80 completely different autoimmune situations, and an individual can have multiple on the identical time.
Many of those situations – and the medicines used to deal with them – can have an effect on the mouth.
Frequent autoimmune situations
A number of the extra widespread situations embody:
- Crohn’s illness and ulcerative colitis
- Sort 1 diabetes
- A number of sclerosis (MS)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis
- Lupus
- Scleroderma
- Psoriasis
- Fibromyalgia
- Coeliac illness
- Sjögren’s syndrome / Sjögren’s illness
How can autoimmune situations have an effect on oral well being?
Many autoimmune situations can enhance the danger of mouth issues.
This makes good day by day mouth care and common dental assist particularly necessary.
Frequent oral well being points embody:
Dry mouth
Dry mouth is quite common, particularly in folks with Sjögren’s syndrome.
Some medicines used to handle autoimmune situations can even scale back saliva.
Low saliva can result in:
- Tooth decay, particularly close to the gumline.
- Gum illness.
- Mouth infections, together with fungal infections (thrush).
- Modifications in style.
- Problem chewing or swallowing.
In case you have a dry mouth:
- Communicate to your dentist or pharmacist about saliva-replacement merchandise.
- Ask your physician in case your remedy may very well be modified to cut back dryness.
Sore mouth, ulcers and irritation
Some autoimmune situations may cause:
- Crimson, swollen or sore gums.
- Mouth ulcers or lesions.
- Ache that makes consuming tough.
That is extra widespread with situations resembling Crohn’s illness, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
To assist throughout flare-ups:
- Keep away from spicy, acidic or tough meals.
- Use a tender toothbrush.
- Select a toothpaste with out sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS).
- Preserve your mouth as clear as attainable, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Gum illness and tooth loss
Folks with autoimmune situations might have a better threat of gum illness.
This occurs as a result of:
- The immune system overreacts to irritation.
- Wholesome gum and bone tissue may be broken throughout this response.
If gum illness isn’t managed, it could actually result in free enamel and tooth loss.
How can I defend my mouth?
In case you have an autoimmune situation:
- Brush your enamel for two minutes, last item at evening and as soon as extra throughout the day, with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Clear between your enamel day by day.
- Handle dry mouth signs early.
- Keep away from smoking and restrict alcohol.
- Go to your dental group recurrently and inform them about your situation and any drugs you take.
Why dental care issues
Autoimmune situations may be advanced and tiring to handle.
Taking care of your mouth helps forestall further ache, an infection and discomfort.
Working intently together with your dental group may also help scale back dangers and hold your mouth as wholesome as attainable.
Final reviewed: July 2025
