Lyme Disease and Dental Health San Diego . Orange County . Los Angeles

Lyme Disease & Dental Health

The mouth, according to many dentists, is a portal to the rest of the body. This is due to the fact that the mouth might reveal early symptoms of illness that general doctors may miss during a first examination.

Lyme disease infection can result in a variety of symptoms, all of which might take months or years to manifest after the original infection. Further problems may be prevented for individuals who seek treatment early, although this isn't the case in every instance. This is since the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia, can camp out in the body's tissues and go dormant until resuming its attack on the body.

Those who have Lyme disease understand how difficult the disease's symptoms may be.

Arthritis, cognitive difficulties such as concentration, memory, and focus issues, lack of control of face muscles, and persisting tiredness are all signs of late-stage Lyme disease. Can Lyme illness, on the other hand, cause tooth problems?

Is it possible for Lyme illness to create tooth problems?

The link between oral hygiene and Lyme disease isn't well known. This might be because oral symptoms are rarely present at the start of the illness. However, there is a link, and Lyme illness can impair dental health in a variety of ways. Lyme disease can cause temporomandibular joint disorder, which is a disorder that affects oral health (TMJ).

The temporomandibular joint, which links the mandible to the skull, is affected by TMJ diseases. Every individual has one joint on each side to guarantee that the jaw opens and closes properly. Whenever a patient has TMJ dysfunction, they may have complaints such as discomfort in the jaw area and muscles involved in jaw movement, as well as difficulties opening their mouth. Lyme disease can produce face discomfort that looks like or feels like a TMJ problem.

Lyme disease and tooth extractions

Since the microbes may find their way into the mouth from the original bite site and dwell in the inner parts of the teeth, Lyme disease has been linked to dental health issues. Dentin tubules are microscopic cylinders that provide the ideal environment for bacteria to move around in. Other bacteria that grow and thrive in root canals and other regions of the mouth where teeth have been removed can also feed the germs.

Getting a tooth extracted might expose the Borrelia germs to the body, causing a flare-up of Lyme disease in those who aren't aware they have it. A tooth extraction has also been linked to a worsening of symptoms in patients with persistent Lyme disease, according to some research. A person having post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) had joint and muscular discomfort, as well as other symptoms like sleep disruptions, cognitive impairments, and headaches, according to one research. Following a tooth extraction, the patient had significant discomfort and required to be hospitalized to the hospital's intensive care unit.

Is it possible for Lyme illness to harm your mouth?

Lyme disease can impact your oral health, in addition to the implications it has on the TM joint that regulates jaw mobility. Dry mouth and inflammation of the pulp have been identified as oral symptoms in those who have Lyme disease. Pulpitis is an inflammatory condition that can occur if dental caries is not addressed. The dental pulp is affected, and major complaint is pain. Inflammation of the salivary gland is also a possibility.

Burning mouth syndrome is a symptom of Lyme disease in some people. Burning in the mouth is a common symptom of this chronic illness, which can affect the mouth, lips, gums, inner side of the cheeks, roof of the mouth, or the entire mouth. The patient may feel as if they have just had their tongue scorched by a hot beverage. The etiology of burning mouth disorder is unknown in many instances. Lyme disease is usually linked to neurological problems caused by the bacterium.

A dentist who is Lyme-aware

During dental examinations, certain dental health practitioners may be able to detect symptoms of Lyme disease. Many symptoms, such as head and neck discomfort, may lead someone to seek treatment from a dentist instead of their general practitioner, since they believe their ailment is caused by a tooth issue. Dental practitioners must be comprehensive in their inquiries regarding signs, medical histories, and social background in order to detect a Lyme disease infection and suggest additional examination. When treating people with Lyme disease, dental practitioners and other primary care providers must work together successfully.

Dental extractions can trigger significant pain flare-ups and other unpleasant complaints in people with late-stage Lyme disease. Coping with Lyme disease could be unpleasant, but people bitten by an infectious tick may well have a lower risk of getting PTLDS if they receive good and timely treatment.