I have had RA for almost 30 yrs now and have a problem with my teeth and enamel erosion. Does anyone else have this problem?

[L1zzy]

The dentist says it could be reflux, which I very rarely suffer from and I take Omeprazole. Or it could be eating excessive citrus fruits, which I don't. Can anyone suggest any dietary changes, or have any other suggestions...

[Hidden]

My dentist picked up that I was on Amolodopine for high blood pressure - as this drug causes problem with gums.

[L1zzy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks... thankfully I do not suffer with high blood pressure or gum disease.

[earthwitch]

You can get reflux at night time when you are asleep that you aren't aware of, so it is possible it is that. The other possibility is that its a result of a malabsorption problem like undiagnosed coeliac disease. I had very very soft crumbly teeth after longstanding undiagnosed coeliac disease (got diagnosed about 20 years after first obvious symptoms), and also had dental enamel defects that were something to do with demineralisation of teeth from the malabsorption that the coeliac was causing. Might be worth asking your GP to screen you for coeliac just to make sure its not that. Dry mouth can also cause a lot of problem with teeth - whether its from sjogrens, or just a medication side effect.

[L1zzy in reply to earthwitch]

Thanks for that, I will ask my gp. I do have bowel problems but not sure of coeliac symptoms. As well as RA I have Sjogrens, but dentist said a dry mouth causes tooth decay, not enamel erosion.

[NannieStaci]

Hi L1zzy am knew to sight and have been battling RA for almost 20yrs and OA for 2yrs and will unfortunately be tested for Sjogrens with next labs. I too am experincing dental problems with loss of enamil to loss of teeth due to cavities and I brush and floss at least twice a day. Not sure whats up with the dental problems but would like to know any info you find out if you dont mind, it will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

..

[L1zzy in reply to NannieStaci]

Hi NannieStaci... I've had this problem with enamel, or lack of it, for quite a never of years, but now it's so bad it's embarrassing! I've often discussed it with the dentist, but not the rheumatologist... seeing him in March, so will see what he says. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any answers. Hope you haven't got Sjogrens. I was examined by the optician, and then by a consultant at eye clinic. They put a strip of stiff paper in each eye, after 5mins they came out as dry as they were when they went in! No cure, repeatedly using drops, and plugs inserted into tear ducts helps... they stop the drops from draining away.

[beauty96]

I agree with NannieStacie as I had to have my teeth out at 28 [1972] cos of no or losing the enamel. I had undiagnosed coeliac and the doctors did not admit to until 1994, Malabsorption can cause many problems. I would also check your prescription as according to my husband doc for a different reason, he should not be on omeprazole for a lengthy time. Get a pharmacist to check your prescription list. Stating to him how long you have been on them. Get checked out for any malabsorption problems as well. If blank then look for other causes. Like diet and if you do smoke please stop,

[earthwitch in reply to beauty96]

yep. I lost most of my teeth for exactly the same reason - undiagnosed coeliac, and my dentists not making the connection at all and continuing the damage by working on my teeth and replacing fillings multiple times, which would then just cause the teeth to break and crumble away until the point where I just had to have most of them out. Even my last remaining teeth are incredibly soft and I think I am going to have them out soon as the partial plate rubs on them and seems to be eroding them. My niece, who was showing signs of coeliac, had dental enamel defects as a young child and had them treated with some kind of "paint" stuff on the surface of her milk teeth. Not sure if that works for adult teeth or not.

[L1zzy in reply to beauty96]

Thanks skeggy, I'll definitely asked to be tested for coeliac... and ask about Omeprazole, I've been on it for years. Thankfully, never smoked

[L1zzy]

Out of interest... would there not be other obvious symptoms with Coeliac disease?

[beauty96]

L1izzy there are numerous things that can tell one you have coeliac. I had yellow poo cos of undigested fat. Now on enzymes and on a low fat diet so I am aware I might not digest vitamin D. One can have spots and a rash on the skin. Being thin and eating like a horse so to speak, and so on. Osteoporosis, hypothyroid [indeed with this it is well know and scientifically proven that one does not absorb vitamin B12 and also you do not change beta-carotene to vitamin A] and diabetes type 2 also go together with coeliac cos of malabsorption of foods. The immune system is complicated and any changes need to be looked into. All I can add is to get checked out and avoid unnecessary suffering that can be prevented.

[L1zzy in reply to beauty96]

Thanks skeggy