Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an incredibly painful—and often debilitating—disease that affects the joints. Many people experience inflammation flareups from RA in their hands and legs, but any joint can be affected. The disease can be particularly frightening if it begins to affect the jaw.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
RA is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues around the joints, causing inflammation that can make it difficult to move the joints that are being attacked. The disease commonly affects hands and knees, but any joint is susceptible, meaning the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint—TMJ) can also be affected. Usually, this happens in later stages of the disease.
What are the Effects of RA in the Jaw?
Because RA makes it difficult to move joints, people who are affected in the jaw may experience difficulty speaking or even eating. Patients with this problem may also find it difficult to sleep, as the pain can be quite pronounced.
What are the Symptoms of RA in the Jaw?
If you’ve already been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis elsewhere in your body, you might already know the symptoms to look for. This disease is typically characterized by some or all of the following:
- Pain in the jaw
- Stiffness of the jaw joint
- Grinding or creaking sound when you move your jaw
- Limited range of motion
As the dentist Lachine patients come to with their jaw pain issues, Dre Nathalie Kadoch sees patients with RA in their jaws. With her help, you can feel relief and endure less pain associated with your disease.
How Can You Relieve Jaw Pain Caused by RA?
The most important way to alleviate RA jaw pain is to get control of the disease itself. See your doctor, who might be able to prescribe medications or recommend over-the-counter medicines that’ll help reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage that could otherwise result from the disease.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to help bring down inflammation and make RA patients more comfortable. Wearing a mouth guard at night might help reduce pain, as well as certain jaw exercises, which your dentist can help you acclimate to. Some advocate that turmeric can also lead to reducing inflammatio
If you’re looking for the dentist Lachine patients trust with their sensitive jaws, you’ve come to the right place. Let Dre Nathalie Kadoch and her team help you relieve your jaw pain. The sooner you see us, the sooner we can assist you.