We’ve talked in past blog articles about the association between the health of your gums and cardiac (heart) health. But this is just a small piece of the overall puzzle when it comes to the impact of your oral health on your general health and well-being. Numerous other health conditions are associated with unhealthy teeth and gums, including kidney disease, poor outcomes in pregnancy, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and even arthritis.

Oral bacteria have been identified in the joint synovial fluid in people with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

What is Arthritis?

The term “arthritis” refers to a group of joint diseases. There are many different types of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages.

Overall, arthritis is a leading cause of disability in Australia and worldwide, and one in seven Australians (14%) lives with the condition.

Mild to severe, arthritis can cause pain, swelling, redness and burning, stiffness, and loss of movement and function in the joints. The symptoms may come and go or be constant, and either remain stable or worsen over time. It can also cause permanent damage and changes within the joints.

Two major types of arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis is the most common form, and can affect any joint but is most often seen in the fingers, spine, knees, hips, and at the base of the big toe. It can be caused by wear and tear, past injury to the joint, overuse, being overweight, as well as some inflammatory factors. While people of all ages can be affected, the incidence of osteoarthritis increases with age.

• Autoimmune Inflammatory Arthritis results from an overactive immune system and includes rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, axial spondylarthritis, and gout. Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints and can also impact the internal organs and the eyes. It is more common in women than men and it has a high prevalence in younger people.

Modern researchers believe that rheumatoid arthritis does not begin in the joints at all, but instead arises from auto-antibodies that are generated elsewhere in the body – the lungs, digestive tract, and the mouth.

The Link Between Gum Disease and Arthritis

Scientific studies have repeatedly demonstrated a link between gum disease and arthritis, and researchers believe that oral bacteria may trigger rheumatoid arthritis.

This concept is not new, and as many as one hundred years ago it was suspected that infections of the gums led to inflammatory conditions elsewhere in the body. Back then, what they referred to as oral sepsis was treated by extracting all of the teeth and replacing them with dentures – even in very young patients.

Today, while total extraction is rarely the treatment of choice (thanks to the advent of effective antibiotic treatments), medical research has shown that the bacteria that cause gum disease do indeed also contribute to inflammatory disorders – including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and lupus.

The human body has what is called the microbiome – trillions of mostly beneficial bacteria that protect against pathogens and inflammation and aid digestion. It helps regulate immune cells throughout the body. The majority of the microbiome resides in the gut, with some also in the mouth and on the skin. If the microbiome becomes unbalanced, it can trigger an immune response, and this response may target the body’s own healthy tissues.

Several studies have shown that:

• People with rheumatoid arthritis are twice as likely to suffer from gum disease.
• People with severe gum disease are very likely to have severe rheumatoid arthritis.
• The severity of gum disease was directly proportional to the severity of the arthritis symptoms.

What Can You Do?

• Maintain twice-daily tooth brushing and flossing with fluoride toothpaste.
• Visit your dentist every 6 months for cleaning, check-up, and preventative treatments.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gently brush the gums as a routine practice.
• Use an alcohol-free mouthwash.
• Drink plenty of fresh water.
• Seek medical/dental advice promptly for recurrent or unhealing sores or ulcers in the mouth and on the gums.
• If you are prescribed antibiotics for a dental or oral infection, take the entire course as prescribed.
• Maintain a healthy, balanced diet favouring whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats and minimising processed foods, sugar, salt, and alcohol.
• Don’t smoke or vape, and don’t chew tobacco.
• Consider taking a good quality daily probiotic supplement to help support your microbiome and optimise immune function. 

Adam Dental Supplies is a leading Australian distributor of dental and associated products for dentists, dental hygienists, orthodontists, hospitals, doctors, dental and medical schools, pharmacists, veterinarians, universities, podiatrists, tattooists, and professional piercers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and throughout Australia.

We also provide retail sales of preventative dental supplies to the general public, including everything you need to maintain optimal oral health at home.

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