Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause problems throughout the body. Symptoms include skin ulcers, joint pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. The disease can also present with a range of dental symptoms, including an overly small mouth, jaw pain, and severe dry mouth. If you are a scleroderma patient, inform your dentist of your diagnosis and any oral health problems you are experiencing.

Here are a few of the potential treatments for dental symptoms of scleroderma.

Small Mouth

Small mouth, formally called microstomia, can create a host of problems in the mouth. The teeth might not come together correctly in front leaving a gap called an open bite. A small mouth also means crowded teeth, which makes it hard for the dentist to conduct thorough cleanings and can make the mouth more prone to infections.

Treatments for small mouth depend on the severity of the condition. Severe cases might require jaw surgery to place bone grafts that would essentially lengthen the jaws to make the mouth wider. Braces can be used to help correct any tooth misalignment still present after the jaw is shifted.

Proper oral health care is vital if you have a small mouth. Your dentist might prescribe strong fluoride mouthwash to better clean the hard to reach areas behind your teeth.

TMJ Pain

Temporomandibular joint pain, also known as TMJ, is tightness or a locked feeling in the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Symptoms of TMJ include lingering pain, difficulty chewing, and even a locked jaw that won't allow you to open your mouth properly or fully.

Treatments for TMJ depend on the severity. Mild cases might be treated with physical therapy, teaching stretching exercises and a mouth guard that will keep your jaw from locking, especially at night while you're asleep. Your dentist might also prescribe a muscle relaxant or pain reliever.

Severe cases of TMJ might require surgery on the joint to remove a segment to allow the joint to move more flexibly.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is more serious than a slight feeling of thirst. Your mouth has actually reduced or quit producing saliva, which is important for lubricating your mouth and supplying important enzymes for dental health. Untreated dry mouth can cause cracks in your soft tissue and eventually lead to dental erosion and damage.

Treatments for mild dry mouth focus around lifestyle changes such as avoiding spicy foods and sucking on a mint or hard candy that promotes saliva production. Severe cases of dry mouth might require a prescription saliva replacement. To learn more, speak with someone like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.