At this spring’s General Session and Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research, a study called “Inflammation in the Mouth and Joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis” was presented to high acclaim.
Researchers performed examinations on twenty-three patients with RA, as well as twenty healthy patients, looking at both joint and dental wellness. Of these subjects, fifteen were newly-diagnosed with the disease, while eight were chronic patients.
All patients received routine dental care, and at the conclusion of the study, it was found that RA patients had increased pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding of the gums compared to the healthy participants.
Inflammation in the mouth is a clear indicator of oral distress. If you are experiencing chronic inflammation, be sure to talk with your dentist, as it can be an indicator of a bigger health issue.
For more information on the connection between RA and oral health, click here.