Archives for February 2022

How Does Lupus Affect Your Teeth?

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Young African American woman portraying concern over lupus and oral healthI was diagnosed with lupus two months ago. I have a friend who was diagnosed over 20 years ago. She says that lupus can affect your teeth. I haven’t been one to be regular at any dentist because of my anxiety. But I know I need to rethink it all. What kind of changes should I look for in my teeth now that I have lupus? – Krista

Krista- Thank you for your question.

According to a 2019 article in the dental journal, Oral Diseases, studies show that people with systematic lupus have a greater risk of “compromised oral and dental health exhibiting increased risk of periodontal diseases and temporomandibular joint disorders.” So, how does lupus affect your teeth?

How Does Lupus Affect Your Teeth?

Lupus can affect your teeth and jawbone health, salivary glands, and increase tooth decay. We will explain:

  • Jaw joint health – Lupus often affects joints in the body. The temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull, can be affected. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can result from chronic inflammation of the joints that lupus can cause.
  • Salivary glands – Auto-immune conditions, including lupus, can attack the body’s moisture-producing glands, including salivary glands. A reduction in saliva flow in the mouth increases acid.
  • Tooth decay – Tooth decay increases when acid attacks your teeth. In severe cases of decay, a cosmetic dentist can protect and restore your teeth.
  • Mouth sores – Additionally, many medications prescribed to treat lupus can cause mouth sores.

Maintaining Your Oral Health with Lupus

It is an excellent time to start seeing a dentist for regular exams and cleanings. Let your dentist know that you have lupus. They will monitor your teeth and gums for signs of dryness. If you experience dry mouth, your dentist can recommend at-home care or prescription remedies to assist with saliva production.

Please do not let your anxiety keep you away from the dentist. Schedule a consultation with an experienced dentist to discuss your options for treatment along with sedation to help you relax.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post.

My Dental Bonding Is Too Thick

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After I chipped my right center tooth and the one behind it last September, my dentist applied bonding on them. But the bonding did not match my teeth. She did the bonding twice, and with her previous attempt, the bonding is tooth thick. I can see and feel the difference. Although my dentist tried to correct it by shaving it down, the tooth still looks thick but distorted in shape. My dentist suggested that we try porcelain veneers to cover the whole tooth, and a lab can contour them. I don’t want my dentist to do any more work on my teeth. Is it too late to start over with another dentist, or will removing the bonding damage my teeth and require veneers? Thank you. Cassie from OK

Cassie,

Thank you for your question. Your thoughts about not letting your dentist do any more work on your teeth are valid. Your dentist’s lack of training and experience with cosmetic work prevents her from giving you natural-looking results.

Natural-Looking Dental Bonding

Natural-looking dental bonding requires advanced training and an artistic eye for a dentist to select mixed colors, textures, and translucence to match your teeth. Then a dentist must apply bonding by hand and sculpt it on your teeth to achieve your natural tooth shape. Few dentists can manage to bond well enough to make it look so realistic that you cannot tell your tooth was ever damaged. More dentists can do a good job but not as well as a trained cosmetic dentist. It seems that your dentist has no cosmetic training at all.

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

If you want dental bonding instead of veneers, see an advanced cosmetic dentist

We recommend that you search for an advanced, preferably accredited, cosmetic dentist to examine your teeth. A skilled dentist understands how to remove bonding without damaging your teeth and reapply it to match your tooth color and shape. It will not look too thick. And it can prevent the need for porcelain veneers.

If your current dental bonding looks inferior, your dentist should agree and be willing to compensate you instead of offering porcelain veneers. You may request a refund from your dentist and hope she is reasonable.

Best wishes on a smooth resolution.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.