Dr. Hector L. Sarmiento, DMD, MSc

Recent epidemiological studies have shown associations between oral health and systemic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specific periodontal (gums) bacteria in the oral cavity has shown to play a major role between these two inflammatory disease processes.

Observations related to oral conditions and inflammatory arthritis extend back for centuries, with Hippocrates suggesting that pulling teeth could cure arthritis. Common oral manifestations in rheumatoid arthritis include Sjogren’s syndrome and temporomandibular joint disease (TMD) and as well as associations with periodontal disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Sarmiento recommends if you have any symptoms of arthritis to visit our office for an examination of you gums. Presenting with periodontal disease may be a reason for the symptoms you are feeling with arthritis.