My teeth, bottom front particularly, are sooo painful!
I go to the dentist regularly and have good mouth hygiene, so it's not unhealthy teeth. I have Tocilizumab, Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine mainly. I started Atorvastatin about 2-3 weeks ago, which seems to be going fine; feeling no obvious side-effects so far.
I have taken paracetamol and could take some etoricoxib, if I need to.
They're really, really throbbing ðŸ˜
Do you grind your teeth at night? Or maybe they’re sensitive? I’d check with your dentist to make sure.
Good shout, but no I don't grind my teeth. They are sensitive though, but this is more than that.
Hi Moomin
I had pain with one tooth a while ago and went to the dentist because that tooth has got some decay. He said the nerve was inflammed but it wasn't caused by the decay, which wasn't close enough and hadn't worsened. He prescribed anti inflammatories for a few days and that cleared it up. I also used sensodyne, but the pills tackled the cause. It might be worth a try,
Best Wishes
Jennifer
I'm just recovering from covid and my teeth hurting was one of the symptoms/problems that I had for a few days. Thankfully all gone now like the covid 🤞apart from a lingering cough.
I think it would be worth seeing your dentist, maybe get a couple of X-rays to see if anything shows up. When I get tooth pain and it’s normally in my upper teeth - I’m like you though and my dental hygiene etc is good - it’s usually my sinuses that have set things off not my actual teeth.Definitely recommend Sensodyne sensitive toothpaste too.
I use a lot of sensodyne tooth paste too and I’m the same as you sometimes my teeth hurt , then it goes off a bit then comes back and so on. Not sure what causes this . I’ve had a few teeth out and deep root canal filling . I think there’s a test for gum disease I’m going to ask for next.
Just looked - the toothpaste I use is Oral B Sensitive toothpaste - Sensodyne doesn't work for me, unfortunately. I will ask when I go to my dentist in April for a gum disease check too.
I don’t know why but some years ago Oral B was given a poor rating for their tooth paste , hence I bought sensodyne . I was also informed once when my teeth hurt that it was down to an infected sinus in the tooth . I didn’t even know that sinuses could affect our teeth.
I read something about R/A effecting gums sorry Ican not recall more details.
I've had sensitive teeth for as long as I can remember. My dentist commented that RA can affect the gums as it can cause you to have less saliva which leads to gum disease and encouraged me to take extra care with cleaning and to suck sugar-free sweets to encourage saliva production. Rubbing your gums with the sensitive toothpaste can help as it acts as a painkiller; I've also been told to dip my little interdental brushes in it and put it between the sensitive teeth but I haven't been brave enough to try that! 😂
I had the same thing a few years ago. I think I was on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine at the time, dont think I'd started my adalimumab yet. It came on suddenly. All my tooth roots suddenly hurt. It felt as if the roots were moving in the sockets and they were all going to fall out. It was definitely mainly my front teeth. Can't remember if the back ones hurt as well. Emergency appt with dentist confirmed all fine with teeth and he said it was the RA inflaming my temporomandibular joints and causing the shooting pains in my face and teeth. It lasted about 4 days. Maybe check in with dentist to rule out teeth, then if continuing would maybe count as a flare and check in with rheumatology. I think at the time I didnt have any prescription anti inflammatories and used ibuprofen and paracetamol. It really hurt, though! Good luck, hopefully won't last too long x
Hello, sorry to hear this, it can be so painful. Could it be referred nerve pain from issues with the jaw? My jaw is severely damaged from longstanding RA and I get pain in the lower teeth too. Have had root canals and extractions but the pain persists. Jaw replacement has been discussed but I have complex issues so not considered safe for me.Gabapentin has been suggested for nerve pain. Lots of luck and hope you find some relief.
From what you have said, it sounds as if you have ruled out most of the causes from your teeth, so I agree with other posts that it is more likely to be refered pain from the nerve by your temporomandibular joint. Your dentist might still be able to help perhaps a night splint?
I did find this link with some helpful hints if you havne't already tried all of them!
Hi Moomin8, my ra started with a small infection in my mouth that had been running for a long time without my knowledge. At the time there was more and more evidence to show a connection with mouth infections and RA, that was about 8 years ago. My teeth are sensitive and painful as well so I switched to a sensitive toothpaste which does help. Maybe have a discussion with your rhuemy or gp as a switch of meds may help.
I've been having exactly the same thing with sore gums also, recently been to the hygienist and in between having a tooth sorted, I have an appointment next week but this throbbing is unusual, my sinuses are playing up so wondering if it's too so with that also as the tree pollen has been very high. I've been taking ibuprofen which has helped until I get to see someone but making me feel miserable. Hope you get yours sorted soon also.
Yes I've got that problem at the moment too, I asked the rhuemy nurse if it could be a touch of fibro and he admitted that fibro could've crept in as well. He told me to try the nasal spray offered by the docs called Beconase for 6 weeks then I'd be referred to ent if no difference. I'm still waiting for spray. I also get a strange feeling at the top of my head and towards the front like there's a million insects walking over my scalp, there isn't I promise. Can also feel like someone has dropped a ten ton weight on my head and is hitting it with a hammer. This is especially bad when there is about to be a storm, the pressure really builds until it rains/thunders then everything releases when it happens.
Thanks for replying, it's good to know we are not alone in this!
I spoke to my GP yesterday and explained problems with sinuses can be a side effect of Rituxumab, and that I have put up with this for 2 weeks now, I am convinced it's so with the tree pollen at the moment which is high, he's prescribed me a steroid nasal spray and go back in 4 weeks if no better.
I bought some Sudafed yesterday also, which has eased my tooth throbbing and sore gums but not completely, unblocked my nose too! The Sudafed does have ibuprofen in them though.
We wait for spring then it throws another set of problems for us immune suppressed lot..🙄 interesting to read it could also be fibromyalgia though also.
Thanks again and to Moonin for starting this post, hope everyone's symptoms ease soon. X
I didn't know that about ritux so it's informed me as well, thank you. They changed mine from ritux which was fine, but the remsima seems to have aggravated it.
I had this problem some years ago and it turned out to be a symptom of fibromyalgia. I had been back and forth between GP and dentist before reading about it in a book about fibro. Afraid I can’t remember how it was resolved (it was a long time ago).
Hi Moonin,Its only since Ive had RA that I have had sensitive teeth. Whether its the disease or the drugs who can say.
Through trial and error I have found solutions and know how to treat myself prophylactically.
Firstly I managed to pin down that NSAID’s set off the sensitivity.
So I can tolerate Ibuprofen in very small amounts for a short time.
Naproxen is an absolute no no! Helps the joint pain , agony with the teeth.
Paracetamol is fine but then that isnt an NSAID.
To combat tooth pain onset I buy Sensodyne Rapid Relief or Sensodyne Tooth & Gum.
You have to shop around as they can be £5 a tube.
Ordinary Sensodyne and Colgate Sensitivity just don’t cut it.
I brush 2/3 times a day and rub on the teeth with my finger if its a bad episode.
I also use a Sensodyne Oral mouthwash treatment that hardens enamel. Again its £4.50 a bottle but you can feel it working ( very little plaque build up )
Interestingly as someone else pointed out their teeth suffered during a bout with Covid. For me when I had Covid badly in March 2020 it was the first symptom that I knew something was very wrong.
My teeth were so agonising I had to stop the car and buy Sensodyne repair and protect toothpaste and drive while rubbing it on my teeth.
Good luck Moomin, seems there is no end to how our lovely disease links into other health issues.
I really feel for you but its weirdly reassuring that others have the same.
All the best for some relief for you.
Mx
Could be referred pain from your jaw….that is. Quite common with RA.
Both me and my wife take some of your meds and have had no problems with them. But I had problems with Alendronic Acid causing teeth and jaw problems.
Finally someone who is having the same symptoms as me. My teeth, the same bottom front ones you mention have been bothering me alot too. Went to dentist (afraid I was developing a abcess or something) everything fine there. I also can't eat anything too spicy because it bothers me also. I have also got a terrible taste in my mouth also. Tastes tinny and makes my stomach upset. Yes I use sensodyn and mouthwash to help already.
It seems to be quite common amongst us lot! I couldn't find much when I first searched it though 🤔
I have RA and it does or can affect the gums. Best tooth paste I find for sensitive teeth/gums is Corsodyl. Bit pricey but worth it. Tried all the rest
So sorry to hear of your pain! I am on rituximab. I have had pain brushing teeth with any toothpaste except Sensodyne. Sensodyne Pronamel seemed to work. When I went to the dentist, she said I needed 12 fillings due to abfractions. (Bone loss in the teeth near the gum line). I do not grind my teeth so I have no idea how I developed this bone loss on my teeth and was wondering if it could be from using medication. Wishing you well.
Morning 🙂That's rubbish luck for you; I'm sorry to hear that you've had to have so many fillings! This RA is an expensive game and has a lot to answer for ðŸ˜
Teeth 
Sensitive teeth
Teeth have ligaments too
teeth
Question about anti-tnfs and bad teeth.
