I honestly have a mouth dryer than the place where you find camels 🐪, can’t think of the word
My gums are receding, and to be honest I really fear ending up toothless 😔
I can’t do more than what I’m already doing, so what next? Is this a field for rheumatologist or would I need a referral to a specialist dentist?
Ps have stopped smoking since yesterday. No longer rewarding my ill health with “I’m stressed I need a fag”. I hope this will help too x
Well done you for quitting smoking. This will help your gums and dysfunctional immune system I’m certain because there’s evidence that smoking can trigger autoimmune diseases and most certainly it worsens them. It takes some guts to quit though. There is also thought to be a relationship between gum disease and RA so you should mention it to the rheumy. X
I read that hydroQ also works better for non smokers, so here goes. And I will do it.
My dad has awful teeth problems and he has RA. I feel like I’m slowly ticking the boxes for everything 😥x
When I had training as a volunteer for the NRAS we were told over and over that severe RA and associated lung and heart complications mostly only affected smokers. There was a campaign with cigarette smoke coming out of burning knuckles. If you’re tempted to go back to smoking you could read up and find this image to keep you on track. But I’m sure you know all this.
I used to have such awful trouble with teeth and gums. But one day my youngest was in dentist having a filling. He was so scared and kept saying “but mum doesn’t let me eat sweats and I always brush my teeth. My big brothers eat sweeties but they don’t have fillings?!”. So the dentist told him that it wasn’t his fault but his brothers were probably nose breathers whereas he was a mouth breather.
This must have made a big impression on us both because from then on we both became nose breathers without even being aware of it! It takes some training if you’re a mouth breather ie sleep with your mouth open.
But my oral medicine consultant explained that, especially with Sjögren’s, its probably why I’ve got away with not losing any teeth and don’t have much gum disease at all now despite terrible historic problems.
Not sure how to teach myself to be a nose breather 😂
4 days no smoking x
You may now find yourself clenching and grinding in your sleep as I did for a while - the subconscious mind is amazing and once an idea has taken hold...?! Better a grinder than a mouth breather my oral medicine consultant always says. I’m over both problems now unless I have a stinking cold!
Well done on day 4 quitting the fags - your skin will soon look peachy and your breath will smell delightful!! X
At the moment I’m trying to teach myself how to manage physical pain through meditation. This is a difficult one but I’m hoping in time it will help. I’ve made a sub conscious note to try nose breathing.
I’m sure I will start to smell better but am quite amazed at how happy others are when i say ive not had a cigarette 😎. I can do this. X
You can do this absolutely - and your health and ability to wear pink to good effect both depend on it ok?! 🤷🏼♀️🤞🏽🤗
Mouth breathers have their tongues in the middle of their mouth. Proper tongue posture is flush with the top of your mouth behind front teeth. If your tongue is in that spot it is impossible to breath through your mouth.
I was a mouth breather and thought it was due to my sinuses but once I learned tongue exercises and cognitively forced my tongue to stay in its proper spot I always breath through my nose, my nasal congestion is gone and my sleep apnea is gone too.
Interesting, and I’m currently sitting here doing all wonderful things with my tongue.
Going to practice this. I love you guys here, your all so great and helpful xx
The tongue exercises also pulled my double chin in too. I think this was better than the clearer nasal passages 
xo
Hi Lisalou19
I’m a mouthbreather when my allergies are bad (stuffy nose or cold)
I also found out I had allergy to dairy and quit eating that and seem to not have it happen as often.
My functional medicine doctor and hygienist suggested mouth taping here’s some information on it and the tape to use.
askthedentist.com/mouth-tap...
Sleep Strips by SomniFix - Advanced Gentle Mouth Tape for Better Nose Breathing, Improved Nighttime Sleeping, Less Mouth Breathing, and Instant Snoring Relief - Pack of 28 amazon.com/dp/B076CQ1NR8/re...
Also I find it I use a diffuser with
a few drops of this essential oil Breathe or just few drops Eucalyptus essential oil. It will help me open my nasal passages.
doTERRA Peppermint Essential Oil - Promotes Clear Breathing, Healthy Respiratory Function, and Digestive Health; For Diffusion, Internal, or Topical Use - 15 ml amazon.com/dp/B003I6TOM8/re...
Hope this all helps, I have issues with my mouth/gums as well. I alternate from my dentist to my periodontist so I’m getting a cleaning every 4 months (on my 2nd year of it) I use a waterpik and Act and mine are getting better each time.
Interesting what TT said about breathing through the nose...better with sjogrens too.
So glad you stopped smoking too...will really help your gums...
If you can get regular cleaning it may help with receding gums, battling this too.
Use Colgate sensitive approved by dentist with sjogrens & be regular....
Great sympathy lost a few teeth & it is very sad when it happens & might have caused some trauma to my jaw joint...
Also, avoid sugary soda...my teenage habit, tempting now but I know it can do damage to teeth & bones. ML
Hi Lisa
Sorry you've got mouth problems due to all the inflammation . Definitely mention it to your Rheumy as it may help him be more decisive about treatment for you. I too have receding gums and I go regularly to the hygienist as I can't clean my teeth properly!. I wonder if your dentist has said for you to go?. I get a very dry mouth too and can recommend Biotene toothpaste from boots. It also has a mouthwash as well but the toothpaste is good because it helps bring back your saliva and is anti bacterial!. It also has flouride in it but is more expensive than other toothpastes but I feel it's worth it as its transformed my mouth!. It's fantastic your quitting smoking, can only help your mouth too. Good luck for your Rheumy appt, let us know how you get on. Xx
Hi Lisalou
Yep agree with Misty on this one, you need to tell your Rheumatologist.
I have a bit of Sjogren's going on with my UCTD. I have one dry eye (ha - what a joke!) and the dentist told me my mouth was a wee bit dry as well. My issue is with sensitivity so the dentist suggested I try Colgate Duraphate 5000ppm. It worked it's magic after a week! It's only available on prescription which I get from the dentist not the doc. I get 6 tubes at a time which they do routinely that way it's on 1 prescription thus bringing down the cost.
My dentist told me there is a drug you can take to increase the saliva in your mouth but because mine is only a wee bit dry I did not go down that route.
Joy
Drug is pilocarpine.
NB: if you receive prescription for it, I find some side effects reduced if I take it after food and with minimum of 225 mls water.
Otherwise causes severe sweating. Can also aggravate urinary frequency. (I Think it increases moisture in more areas than saliva.)
Thank you Joy,
I’m popping back to the dentist on Tuesday as his going to do me a referral to an nhs dentist who maybe able to help with my gums .
I’m also going to ask for this prescription, thank you xx
Joy_1
My dentist gave me another way to help the sensitivities.
Apply via q-tip a thin ribbon of the toothpaste before bed (don’t rinse)
Do for about week and see if it less sensitive. If it’s better but not gone keep doing it. Mine was last back tooth and it came from behind was afraid I would get a cavity. I apply it at night and it’s getting way better.
He also said I could use:
Sensodyne Sensitivity Toothpaste for Sensitive Teeth, Deep Clean, 4 ounce amazon.com/dp/B01NGT7OG5/re...
Last week I met with my new rheumatologist, last one moved to Switzerland :(, before she had me say aww she asked about any dental and cavity issues. It is very relevant.
So glad you are tossing the cigarettes! Good luck you can do it and if you feel tempted just remind yourself that your life depends on you quitting. Xo
I get colgate duraphat 5000 on prescription from my dentist, it is higher in fluoride , using it quite q while and hygienist has seen marked difference .
Yes it's great isn't it. I noticed a significant difference in just a week.
I use Duraphat 5000 as well and Xylimelts in the mouth at night to keep mouth moist. I have improved greatly since cutting right back on sugar too. No fizzy drink, I put cucumber and lemon into water in this weather
Good luck at the dentist. Your post made me ring mine for an appointment next week too, so thanks for virtual push. I have dry mouth and receding gums too but i've been putting off going for ages as couldn't face another appointment with anyone.
I know exactly what you mean about being exhausted looking after all the bits that are falling apart. It's a full time job! I'm packing for a few days away (not even abroad) today and where i used to pack a mascara and a lippy and away I went, now I'm bringing pain meds, dry eye stuff, stuff for my dodgy stomach, stuff for crazy itchy skin, anti insect bite stuff (those guys love me even in cold rainy Ireland and I swell up), stuff for my falling off nails and falling out hair, swelling up lips, mouth ulcers and god knows what else for all the other various bits n bobs😮
I know none of these are things are serious in themselves but you are right, it is exhausting. But I'm still glad to be getting away for some fresh air. Even though I need an extra bag for all the stuff 😁.
X
Cheer up butter cup!
I’m posting a lot I know but I feel so hopeless
Ciclosporne, work, stress and tired 😭
All those who have been in a flare recently, how are you doing? 
lupus & collapsed veins?
