Arthritis is defined as “a group of over 100 diseases characterized by inflammation in the joints or other areas of the body” (Arthritis Society, 2022). It can be divided into two different variations. Osteoarthritis which occurs when the body fails to repair joint damage and Rheumatoid arthritis being an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation and pain, mostly affecting the hands, wrists and feet. 1.5% of the world's population is affected by Rheumatoid arthritis, with a slightly higher prevalence in females (Radwan-Oczko et al, 2019).
There is a connection between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the destruction of the tissues surrounding the teeth, which results in bone loss, tooth mobility and eventually tooth loss (Ahmed et al, 2021). 20% of the world's population are diagnosed with periodontal disease, suffering from the side effects of gum inflammation, bleeding and erythema (Radwan-Oczko et al, 2019). Periodontal disease is often a result of poor oral hygiene practices but is also linked to genetics and tobacco use. Infrequent removal of plaque biofilm irritates the surrounding tissues and leads to the destruction of the supports around the tooth (Ahmed et al, 2021). Due to the struggles that rheumatoid arthritis causes on everyday tasks, such as oral hygiene, the connection can clearly be seen between it and periodontal disease. The inflammation and pain in the joints in the hands make it difficult for people with rheumatoid arthritis to maneuver a toothbrush, floss and other interdental aids. This increases the accumulation of plaque biofilm, leading to the onset of periodontal disease.
There are some modifications that can be made to help people with rheumatoid arthritis in their oral home care routine. To help with dexterity in brushing teeth, you can insert a toothbrush into a tennis ball to create a larger sized handle, making the toothbrush easier to maneuver. An electric toothbrush is also recommended, as it provides a thorough cleaning without much strain on the hands. Floss handles can also be used, as maneuvering string floss can be exceedingly difficult. These are some of the many ways that oral hygiene can be made easier for those struggling with rheumatoid arthritis.
By: Jessie Beckwith
References:
Ahmed, S., Kumar, S., Alsaadi, R. A., Ansari, F. M., Abrol, S., Bhowmick, D., & Tabassum, N. (2021, June 2). Oral Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Control Study. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://eds-s-ebscohost-com.algonquin.idm.oclc.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=e09a33a1-8bac-431f-8879-97c495a91232%40redis
Arthritis Society. (2022). What is arthritis - inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory Diseases | Arthritis Society. Retrieved April 1, 2022, from https://arthritis.ca/about-arthritis/what-is-arthritis
Radwan‐Oczko, M., Duś‐Ilnicka, I., Richards, P., Thomsen, A. M., & Rasmussen, C. (2019, August 1). Rheumatoid arthritis patients’ oral health and disease activity. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases. Retrieved March 31, 2022, from https://eds-s-ebscohost-com.algonquin.idm.oclc.org/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=ab085a39-3d6a-42db-b287-63853fb994d5%40redis
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