A Link between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Increased Periodontal Disease

Swollen joints and missing teeth often go hand in hand, according to a new study. Periodontal(gum) disease and rheumatoid arthritis have very similar origins. Damage caused by the immune system and chronic inflammation are central to both diseases. A better understanding of why certain transformations occur in some people and not in others will help find new ways to treat these people with medications that can calm down the body’s response to inflammation. Compromised patients, individuals that exhibit RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and Perio(gum) disease, should be seeing both their Dental Professional and Medical Professional as frequently as possible to keep their conditions under control.

Evidence also continues to mount that there is an association between periodontal(gum) disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The partnership of the dental and medical professional will assure that both the oral and overall health of these patients is being addressed.

A Link between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Increased Periodontal DiseaseSwollen joints and missing teeth often go hand in hand, according to a new study. Periodontal(gum) disease and rheumatoid arthritis have very similar origins. Damage caused by the immune system and chronic inflammation are central to both diseases. A better understanding of why certain transformations occur in some people and not in others will help find new ways to treat these people with medications that can calm down the body’s response to inflammation. Compromised patients, individuals that exhibit RA (rheumatoid arthritis) and Perio(gum) disease, should be seeing both their Dental Professional and Medical Professional as frequently as possible to keep their conditions under control.Evidence also continues to mount that there is an association between periodontal(gum) disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The partnership of the dental and medical professional will assure that both the oral and overall health of these patients is being addressed.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is often (but not always) found in those who use any form of tobacco and the risk increases when combined with alchohol use. Upon reaching 40, the risk of oral cancer also increases. Though these contribute to the disease, 25% of oral cancer patients hace no known risk factors.

Because this is serious, yet often ignored disease,it is important to have an Oral Cancer Screening when you come in for your dental examination. The earlier the cancer is found, the better the prognosis.

Oral cancer, will be diagnosed in 34,000 Americans this year. The number of cervical cancers that will be diagnosed this year is 10,000, so oral cancer is very serious! Successful treatment of the condition is dependent upon early detection as over 70% of all patients diagnosed with oral cancer live less than 5 years.

Mortality rates associated with oral cancer have remained unchanged for over 30 years, partly due to the limitations of simple visual examinations. Velscope is a new technology that allows Dr.Siegel to detect oral lesions early.

Velscope is an early detection procedure that is painless and only takes a few minutes. A special light is used that emits direct fluorescence illumination. This technology has been used for years for early detection of lung,skin,colorectal , and cervical cancer. We recommend it for our patients ages 18 and over -once per year.

Early detection of pre-cancerous tissue can minimize or eliminate the potentialy disfiguring

effects of oral cancer. Early detection can save your life!

The Velscope allows us to see things that we have not been able to see before such as inflammation,infection, cancerous and precancerous tissue. The oral cancer 5 year survival rate for cancers diagnosed by simple visual appearance is approxiately 28%. The Velscope, with its ability to identify precancerous pathology, increases the 5 year survival rate to 90% and helps to avoid invasive dfisfiguring surgery.

The American Dental Association has recognized Velscope with the CDT-5 cide if D0431 and they urge all patients to be screened.

Optimum oral health has always been one of Dr. Siegel’s priorities for his patients, and the Velscope will help ensure this. If you have any questions and /or wish to schedule a screening, contact the office.

Have a great day! From the office of Dr. Jeffrey S. Siegel