Lupus and teeth

[Turquoise1999]

Hi everyone

I have Lupus SLE and I take steroid, Mychophenolate and hydroxycholorquine

Has any experienced their teeth weakening.

Is this a side effect ?

[strawberrylips]

Hi Turquoise1999Oh yes unfortunately I have had alot of problems with my teeth.

My teeth are very brittle and I have lost quite a few over the years.

Maybe it's the medication, I suspect it is.

My main problem is the colour of my teeth which have altered and I am in the process of having them whitened, although it doesn't seem to be working.

You don't say what your problems are, I hope they're not as dramatic as mine.

Before my Lupus journey I had lovely white, strong teeth, although not anymore....jx

[Turquoise1999 in reply to strawberrylips]

Hi,

Oh no hope your okayy

Yeah I have been experiencing

-sensitive teeth

- decay - which is leading to having to remove my teeth.

I have a strong white teeth before but I feel they are weakening and I’m having to go the dentist more often.

I might ask the next time i go or I might ask my doctor about this

I am getting a bit worried.

[Cas70 in reply to strawberrylips]

I have Sjogren’s Syndrome which is one if the chronic illnesses in the Lupus spectrum. My dentist explained a lot to me at the time - I would look it all up on this website but basically - clean teeth after eating, hydrate and use Colgate Duraphat 5000 toothpaste - only available privately from dentist or on prescription. You can ask Doctors but they just don’t KNOW - people on here, especially the staff and contributors - DO. You need to research yourself on bona fide websites like this -

[Mogcat]

HiYes I am having trouble with my teeth.

Have always had good teeth but last few yrs been having lots of problems. I hadn't really connected the issue with poor teeth with my medication 🙈🙈 I have been taking hydroxychloroquine and Azathioprine for about 15 yrs- just stopped taking Azathioprine in Dec to move onto Mycophenolate . I have only been on this site for a few days and lots of jigsaw pieces falling into place xxx

[Jmiller623]

I don’t think it’s the meds specifically. I think oral hygiene and tooth decay happens in lupus for any number of reasons eg mucositis, dry mouth, immunosuppression and oral flora changes. I have receding gums that I was told may require a bone graft and this happens in those with CTDs. I know people with lupus who have tons of teeth issues - brittle, loose and falling out. I know young women who already wear bridges because they’ve lost teeth. TMJ issues are also very common.

I think dental issues in lupus are likely multi factorial. If anything, meds should technically help. Sending hugs. ❤️xx

[Mogcat in reply to Jmiller623]

I do suffer from sjogrens syndrome as well so I'm sure that must effect my teeth as well

[Hamptons in reply to Jmiller623]

I agree. This is also what two dentists have said that Lupus affects teeth which is likely as impacts pretty much every other part of the body. I had/ have good teeth, I have no gum disease but have bleeding gums when I have inflammation elsewhere and two teeth have just cracked and split in the last two years. I do not take steroids or strong medication. I am lucky that my current and last dentist had relatives with Lupus so have been more savvy.

[Sarah74]

Yes my dentist told my years also it’s the mycophenalate although I take the coated version mydortic acid

[Kelbol1]

Have you not been put on vitamin D as well? This seems to of helped with my hair and teeth as I was having problems - having to get my front teeth built back up from chipping currently getting them whitened and having to use sensodyne for sensitive teeth and gums expensive but it’s doing the trick! x

[Turquoise1999 in reply to Kelbol1]

Hi, I am currently on vitamin D, but still experiencing issues. I spoke to my doctor and he said it is linked to lupus and my side effects of medication

Eg dry mouth

[tree_shadow]

I have had a lot of trouble with my teeth. However it seemed to improve after I started the medications. In particular calcium loss

[sarahsea]

Hello, yes lot’s of problems, lost a few now unfortunately and use the prescription Duraphat 5000 which has extra floride in. I guessed it was the disease process and medication xx

[Chris21]

I was told on diagnosis of lupus sle and sjogrens that I would need to be extra careful with eyes drying and mouth. Part of the condition, not medication unfortunately. Has the dentist said anything about your enamel being poor? There is a toothpaste (prescription only) that might be beneficial.

[Bellissimo]

Hi yes I’m on the same and my teeth are weak now, I think it’s steroids , my consultant is trying to reduce my dose. The medication is so strong I think.. I actually took sepsis from an infection 4 years ago but the hospital was amazing.. what dose of meds are you on ?

[BK47]

I’m not sure if it is my teeth or my jaw but I have pain in the area of my back teeth and it spreads behind my ears and up into the top of my head. I’ve seen 2 doctors and the dentist but no solution yet. I’m on methotrexate and quinoric

[KADM in reply to BK47]

Hi BK47I often get pain in my back teeth, behind the ears and top center of my head/skull. Two dentists have told me that because my teeth do not meet, I have a strong bite - pressure. Therefore it’s cracked two of my bottom teeth. He said to do jaw exercises and massage the sides of my face and either side of the top of my head.

I got a mouth guard (at night) but I personally don’t see any benefit.

I haven’t found anything that works.

I hope things improve for you!

[BK47 in reply to KADM]

Thank you for the reply! I do have a very tense jaw and clamp my teeth together so I think your dentist may be right. I need to relax!!

[Sher78]

You need saliva to protect your tooth enamel & if you have Sjogren's, unfortunately due to not being able to produce as much of this, it will in turn, cause your tooth enamel to be weakened. Many meds can cause your mouth to be dry too so again, the same issue would arise. My teeth are so weak. I had to have several removed at the age of 16 because they literally used to just crumble. I also have 2 caps. Unfortunately it's just one of those things, my dental hygiene is and has always been excellent but because of the lupus & Sjogren's combined, my poor little teeth are always needing work. My dentist give me a high fluoride toothpaste to try and help protect the enamel.

[daniel55]

Hi Turquoise I have Lupus Sjogrens osteoarthritis ect; my teeth have been very bad for years I wonder how much longer I can hang on to them for !!! they are almost black on one side apparently due toSjogrens and lack of saliva I like some of the others have Duraphat 5000 toothpaste always having bits of fillings done or re-done take care of yourself xxx