Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gum Disease

Patients should feel confident that their dentist is sensitive to their unique circumstances. We run a non-judgmental practice at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie. When patients present with bleeding gums, we think it’s important for them to know of a possible factor: rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

While about 35% of the population has gum disease, nearly 70% of people with RA do. That statistic comes from a Johns Hopkins study that examined the relationship between RA and gingivitis. While it is true that people with difficulty moving their hands have a harder time maintaining their oral hygiene, gingivitis also was more common in people with RA who are still able to brush normally. Another study examined similarities between gum tissue and synovium, the joint tissue that RA causes the immune system to attack. It found that synovium shares genetic markers and the structure of key proteins with gum tissue.

Scientists are still unsure whether RA and gum disease fuel each other or result from the same thing. But they do know that people can reduce their chance of developing RA and gingivitis by not smoking. We also know that oral hygiene is still important regardless and can help patients with limited dexterity to pick dental hygiene products they can use.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.

 

Sleep Apnea and Car Crashes

You probably knew that it was a bad idea to drive while tired. But did you know that you may have a problem your dentist can help with? Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OAS) is a common problem that is associated with everything from night time teeth grinding to heart disease, and a new study establishes a connection between OAS and car crashes.

OAS occurs when peoples’ throat tissues sag into their airways in their sleep. It can cause people to wake up, but it can also cause them to snore or get pulled out of deep sleep, leaving them feeling tired without knowing why. This is dangerous because the study found that once people are sleep deprived, they have difficulty determining their level of impairment. This is despite the fact that people with moderate sleep apnea are 13% likelier to crash their cars and people with severe sleep apnea are 123% likelier to do so.

We at Bear Creek Dental in Grande Prairie make custom-fitted night guards to help keep patients’ airways open during sleep. This protects their teeth from grinding, but it also helps them get better rest generally.

Bear Creek Dental is located at Unit 201 10015 102 Ave, Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8v 0z8, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 780-539-0404 or visit Bear Creek Dental.