Keep Away, Toothfairy! My Tips for Healthy Teeth and RA
Since June 2023, I’ve been scared into really taking care of my teeth. Last year, I had a tooth removed due to severe infection and deterioration. It had nothing to do with hygiene and everything to do with my rheumatoid arthritis (RA). My medications, my secondary Sjogren's syndrome, and chronic inflammation created a beautiful environment for tooth decay.
Tips from my dentist for great oral hygiene
I like my teeth. I like my smile. They are my greatest features. So, when I started losing teeth, I freaked out. I talked to my dentist and he gave me more tips to help maintain my pearly (slightly stained from coffee) whites.
1. Flossing
I'm not going to lie; I wasn't the best about flossing. I maybe did it every 2 or 3 nights. You best bet I am doing it every night now, though!
I asked if I should floss in the morning, and my dentist told me I could, but it wasn’t necessary if I did it the night before.
2. Dipping the floss in mouthwash
Somewhere in the web of social media, I saw a hint about covering floss in toothpaste to really get it between my teeth. I tried it, but constantly pinching and applying the paste was a chronic pain nightmare for me.
The dental hygienist suggested mouthwash, and it changed the game for me. I dip the floss in the mouthwash before I do my top row and again before the bottom row.
3. High fluoride toothpaste
My dentist prescribed a high fluoride (1.1% sodium fluoride) toothpaste for me to use at night. I do not rinse after using it so it stays on my teeth and gums longer.
4. Mouthwash
I never used alcohol mouthwashes to begin with (I don’t like how they taste). My dentist suggested ACT and/or Biotene for my dry mouth (because of the Sjogren’s and steroid use combination). I use ACT because Biotene leaves a weird film and tastes terrible. I don’t particularly like ACT either (it tastes very sweet), but if it’ll help maintain my mouth, I can deal.
5. Order matters
Floss (saturated with mouthwash), rinse with mouthwash (for at least 30 seconds), brush with the prescription toothpaste. Do not rinse and repeat. Do not pass go and go to sleep.
6. An electric toothbrush
I switched to electric toothbrushes ages ago but often wonder if I have the best one. My dentist assured me that it really didn’t matter if my execution was good. I spend a total of 2 to 2 and a half minutes brushing my teeth (morning and night).
Personally, I spend a few seconds on the front of each tooth, the bottom of each, and then on the back. I make sure that the bristles also get up into the gumline. I do not apply much pressure, nor do I move the toothbrush over the tooth. The increased vibration is doing the manual labor of a regular toothbrush. If I feel pain, I am pressing too hard.
7. Gum
I am not a gum chewer. It just was never something I particularly got into. My dentist suggested xylitol gum and to chew it after every meal. This would increase saliva production in my mouth (to move bacteria and food particles out) and decrease bacteria load over time.
He did remind me not to chew at the expense of my jaw; a.k.a. forgo it if I felt any pain. Even though he wasn’t a specialist in chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases, he was very well-versed in the subject, and I appreciated it!
8. Using a tongue scraper
My dentist didn’t deem this a necessity, but he said it wouldn’t hurt. I use a metal tongue cleaner to gently scrape my tongue after the above rituals. I do this morning and night.
Seeing improvement in my oral health
The inflammation has gone down and the stinging pain has decreased. The bleeding (when I floss) has completely ended. If you have issues with your teeth, I would highly suggest speaking to your dentist for extra tips to protect your mouth. These are what work for me, but this is based on my medical history and current abilities (like being able to floss)!
Have you tried any of these? Have they worked? Share in the comments!
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