There are several symptoms of MS that can interfere with adequate care of the teeth and gums. Fatigue, spasticity, weakness, tremor, facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia) and sensory changes (numbness, tingling, and/or pain) in the hands can all challenge a person’s efforts to brush and floss adequately.
The following strategies and assistive devices can compensate for these problems:
* Use toothbrushes with built-up handles (or cut a small slit in the sides of a tennis ball and slide it onto the handle of the toothbrush); use fl ossing tools; consider electric toothbrushes and flossing devices.
* Sit to brush and floss, if standing at the basin is tiring.
* Floss in the morning if you are too tired at night. Since flossing at bedtime is preferable because it removes bacteria that will multiply while you sleep, try flossing in bed.
* Allow a family member or personal assistant to help with tooth brushing/flossing.
* Manage tremors by wearing a weighted glove while brushing.
* Sit to brush and floss, if standing at the basin is tiring.
* Floss in the morning if you are too tired at night. Since flossing at bedtime is preferable because it removes bacteria that will multiply while you sleep, try flossing in bed.
* Allow a family member or personal assistant to help with tooth brushing/flossing.
* Manage tremors by wearing a weighted glove while brushing.
Some medications used to treat MS symptoms can cause dry mouth. Saliva helps to cleanse the mouth and teeth. A drymouth is not only uncomfortable, it may cause bacteria to accumulate and may also interfere with chewing. In addition, spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth.
You can minimize the effects of dry mouth by:* Sipping water or sugarless drinks often
* Avoiding caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
* Using a small squirt of lemon in the mouth or sugarless lemon candies to stimulate the parotid glands (which control saliva)
* Using a humidifier at night
* Using special products that are available in pharmacies to moisten dry mouth
* Avoiding caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol
* Using a small squirt of lemon in the mouth or sugarless lemon candies to stimulate the parotid glands (which control saliva)
* Using a humidifier at night
* Using special products that are available in pharmacies to moisten dry mouth
DENTAL VISITS AND MS SYMPTOMSPlan to handle the challenges of fatigue, poor balance, spasticity, and/or transportation issues by:
* Finding out ahead of time whether the office building is sufficiently accessible
* Making your special needs known to the office staff before your appointment
* Determining whether the offi ce has a dental chair that is sufficiently accessible for you (keep in mind that persons who use wheelchairs may need other types of assistance as well)
* Getting some extra rest beforehand to compensate for the traveling and the office visit
* Scheduling visits for a time of day when you usually feel the most rested
* Plan to rest upon returning from the dental visit
THE TRUTH ABOUT MERCURY AMALGAMThere have been claims over the years that mercury leaking from amalgam dental fillings damages the immune system and causes a broad range of diseases, including MS. While the cause of MS remains unknown, there is no scientific evidence that heavy metal poisoning is responsible for either the onset or worsening of MS. There is no reason to have your dental fillings removed or replaced. This is a very expensive procedure with no proven benefit for people with MS.
RESOURCES
Academy of General Dentistry
211 East Chicago Avenue Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Web site: www.agd.org/consumer
Tel: 888-243-3368
> Oral health resources
> Find a dentist
> Ask a question
Academy of General Dentistry
211 East Chicago Avenue Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Web site: www.agd.org/consumer
Tel: 888-243-3368
> Oral health resources
> Find a dentist
> Ask a question
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel: 312-440-2500
Web site: www.ada.org/public/
> Current consumer topics
> A to Z resources
> Finding a dentist
> Events and news
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Tel: 312-440-2500
Web site: www.ada.org/public/
> Current consumer topics
> A to Z resources
> Finding a dentist
> Events and news
THIS information was received from an article found with the National MS Society: The Basic Facts on Dental Health
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