If you encounter difficulties brushing and flossing your teeth because of your arthritis, you might be starting to worry about the state of your oral health. After all, poor oral hygiene often doesn’t end well, and your pearly whites might be in jeopardy! Fortunately, missing teeth can be addressed with solutions such as dental implants—but will your arthritis also influence your eligibility for this treatment option? Keep reading to learn more about how this condition can interfere with your implants, along with some things you can do about it.
How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Dental Implants?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease characterized by swollen and painful joints—so how does it affect dental implants, which are placed inside of your mouth? As a dental implant candidate with RA, you aren’t automatically disqualified from receiving implants; but you have to be mindful of a few things. Since the condition is an autoimmune disease, it causes the immune system to attack healthy cells, which can disrupt the implant healing process. This means that you’re at a considerably higher risk of oral infection!
However, the most obvious way in which your arthritis can influence your dental implants and in turn, your oral health, is the effect it has on your mobility. This condition can make it difficult for patients to merely hold their toothbrush, let alone clean their teeth with it! And if you can’t brush or floss properly, your mouth will quickly become unsanitary—which spells bad news for your dental implants, as they’re likely to fail if infections develop around them.
Another way that the condition affects dental implants is through the medication that’s often used to manage it. Most treatments involve suppressing the immune system in some way, which also increases the risk of infection around your implants. Other medications can sometimes interfere with bone healing, making it tougher for your body to incorporate your implants.
How Can I Prepare for Getting Dental Implants?
Although RA might make things tricky, you can still ensure that your mouth is clean and healthy—this will greatly increase your chances of not only receiving dental implants, but also ensuring that they last. Your dentist will obviously have to confirm that you’re healthy enough to receive implants, but there are some measures you can take to prepare yourself:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily.
- Monitor your sugar intake to reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Regularly visit your dentist for preventive care, including checkups and teeth cleanings.
It’s never a bad idea to take care of your smile, but it’s not always easy—especially if you suffer from RA. Should you need dental implants in the future, you’re improving your chances of being able to retain them for the long run.
About the Practice
The team at Meadowbrook Dentistry is honored to serve patients and families in the Plainview area under the leadership of Dr. Publio Silfa, Dr. Miguel Casañas Jr., and Dr. Bryan Tamburro. Together they combine several years of experience to provide an exceptional level of dental care for all of their patients. Their practice is proud to offer several available services, including dental implants! If you have any questions about dental implants or would like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone: (516) 346-5655.