I wonder if anyone here has had any experience with an autoimmune disease causing receeding gums and periodental problems.

I am still being investigated for different autoimmune diseases causing peripheral neuropathy. So far I am being treated for vasculitis.

In the meantime I have so many things "popping" up as symptoms.
My gums are receeding now, and at a fast rate. I have been evaluated for gum transplant. Have been waiting due to having such severe neuropathy flare ups and being on immunosupressant meds as well as Prednisone on and off. I am off the Prednisone now for short while as well as the Methatrexate, going to have a skin biopsy next week. So I could have this procedure done now, but I am not so sure this procedure is going to be a long lasting solution.
I could go on to the Dental Forum
But I was wondering if any one for example with Lupus or other conditions have experieced this.
Thanks for reading this.

Sjogren's causes significant dental/gum issues, including receding gums and periodontal disease, dental caries, bones loss, etc.

The lack of saliva in the mouth from Sjogren's creates an imbalance in bacteria (increased bacterial concentration) and therefore setting the stage for cavities, gum disease etc.

thanks for the reply enboc.
How do people with Sjoegren deel with this problem while on immunosupressive meds?

Yes, I have so many of the symptoms of Sjoegren, and I have had bloodtest for it a few times, actually, it was included in the long list of lab work I had drawn on Friday. One of my rheumotologist's attempt again. It has been negative so far, but I have heared that the blood test for Sjoegren is often unreliable, with 6 out of 10 being inacurate. I did have a lip bx done that was also negative

I was seen by one neurologist specializing in MS by the way,( because that is what the origional MRI of brain showed) This neurologist said that MSand Sjoegren has many similar symptoms, and as a matter of fact, he said, the brain lesions looks verry similar.

As you know, I have terrible mostly sensory neuropathy, small fiber neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy.

I had those strange episodes at night, waking up with something some doctors thought was simple partial seizures.
Well, I was hospitalized for 3 nights with videomonitored EEG, and was also on cardiac monitor.

but it so happened, I did not have any of those episodes then.
I will be having a sleep study again in January, just one night.

I have tapered back on the Amitriptyline at night, because I think that caused my respiratory tract to completely dry up, causing mucous plugges and possible apnea.
I has a PFT, and it showed some obstructive pulmonary impairment, (this is just the computer read out, I have not gotten the pulm, doctor's comment yet.
But I have had periodic tightness in chest now for 1 year, and actually sometimes it has caused me in distress, it feels like "airhunger" when those episodes comes on.
So, my rheumy is yet another time trying to test for sjoegren.
I will have to take care of the gum problems in between treatments.
Doc is switching me back to Methatrexate again, she tried Cellcept for a while, but that did not go well with my autonomic GI ( like gastrophoresis and Gerd)
Plus, MTX kept my jointpain away, and after 1 month off it and on Cellcept, jointpain came back.
Rheumy is also testing for: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme and a lot of others of the more repetitive stuff.
I think she is looking for possible sarcoidosis being related to the tightness in chest, I will go for a skin bx.
Sorry, I think I am off the subject now

There really is no 'fix' for the dental/periodontal problems associated with Sjogren's. It's a matter of increased maintenance/hygiene care. I see my dentist 3-4 times a year vs the twice a year as most.

There are also OTC products like Biotene to help increase moisture in the mouth. In severe cases there is a RX medication called Evoxac that can be helpful.

You are correct; blood tests for Sjogren's antibodies are commonly negative even in those patients with the condition...about 40%.

I see you said your lip biopsy was negative also...did it show any signs of inflammation or presence of lymphocytes, etc? There is some question of the grading of lip biopsies by those without much experience.

I have never heard of brain lesions in Sjogren's, so not sure what he's referring to. MS has defined brain lesions used in diagnosis.

With your symptoms, I'm glad he's looking into and hopefully ruling out Sarcodosis. Sjogren's can cause interstitial lung disease, so a CT scan might be helpful as well.

I agree with what the others have said. The Biotene toothpaste alone is VERY helpful!

A woman in her early 80s with Soj. Syndrome is sort of like a mentor for me. She had many years of difficult dental problems. This has recently improved. She told me the following: brush two to three times a day, floss nightly, use a waterpik several times a week...on top of the flossing, put a little non alcohol mouthwash with fluoride in the water when you use the water pik, don't do fluoride treatments at the dentist office as it can be drying and it is controversial ....too much fluoride might be harmful for the body. See the dentist for a cleaning 3x a year, and investigate carefully for the best ...whom she calls the "A+" dentist is in your area and don't settle for anything less.

I personally would add to buy sugar free lemon losenges and use one when your mouth is exceptionally dry. Try not to bite or Chew....just let them dissolve. It will bring on more saliva. Also, if very dry, chew a stick of sugarless or xylitol gum for about 15 minutes, then discard.

Keep good quality water with you at all times, sipping it frequently.

enbloc and Wovel Lady, thank you for your suggestions and advise.
Yes, I do use Biotene a lot, different products of it. I brush 3 times daily at least, and floss regularly, actually twice daily. I am so scared getting an infection, and have so far done well, except this problem with receeding gums. With immunosupressive meds, we have to be so careful, but my rhumy said I could hold MTX for 2 weeks for dental surgery.

Enbloc, I will absolutely go and get a copy of the actual lab report of the lip bx. I only have the ENT doctors's notes stating it was negative for Sjoegrens.
I know that perhaps the Rheumy can look at the spesific, if any.
She now has asked for a skin bx, will be going Friday
Enbloc and Wovel Lady, have any of you had problems with chest tightness?
Does any of you also have peripheral neuropathy? Can chest tightness be caused eighter by autonomic neuropathy or Sjoegrens ?
Take care , and do not over do this holiday rush. I think it can tire you out.
But, DO HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY SEASON.
Synnove

I have Sj. Syndrome. Just had a very bad cold. Almost three weeks later, I still have tightness in my chest. At some point, will likely see the doc about this, if it doesn't improve. Fingers crossed that it will. Oh, I just developed p. neuropathy in my feet, mostly my left foot.

My 80+ year old friend swears up and down that folks like us HAVE TO do all the obvious dental stuff as mentioned above PLUS use a water pik several times a week, if not every day. She goes to the BEST dental professionals in my city and she says they tell her that this is the final thing that can turn things around for a compromised patient. Flossing is perhaps ideal, but for whatever reason, it can miss food and of course, it doesn't massage the gums.

I find it all exhausting and currently am only using the water pic once or twice a week (on top of all the other things). I'm aiming for for three to four times a week...plus all the other stuff I mentioned; daily flossing, frequent brushing and 3 visits/cleanings yearly.....honestly, I think she is on to something. She is adamant about it and says her dental problems have vastly improved since she added this extra step (water pic).

I agree, it is important to pace ourselves...but still enjoy life to the very best of our ability!

Something to consider.

vovel lady
Are you on any meds for your Sjoegrens? Do you have jointpain? ( I do, this has developed over the last year, and gets worse when I am off meds. I get some swelling in joints too)
You mentioned you have developed neuropathy in feet. I have heared that with Sjoegren, one can get severe neuropathy. Have you seen the rheumatologist about this new neuropathy?
I have had severe small fiber neuropathy developing over the last year, that is why the rheumy doctor is trying to find the cause.

I have dental cleaning ever 3-4 months too. Just had one. I try to be very particular with my dental hygiene. Yes I do use the Biotene products.
I have not even been diagnosed with Sjoegren, and who knows!! I have something though, just not diagnosed yet. The problem with the receding gums is something I have to attend to ASAP proferable at a time I can be off Prednisone, Methotrexate and Plavix for a little bit to promote healing after dental surgery.
Vovel lady, I hope your cold symptoms gets better. Are you on any immunosupressant meds?
I am on Methatrexate, sometimes Prednisone, so I did not take the flu shot this year.
All the best hopes for you. Keep well
Synnove

en bloch
Thanks for your reply earlier. I have been away from the site a little bit.
I still have to make the trip down to the ENT doctor to receive the actual report on my lip biopsy. I do not know, probably not Sjoegrens.

en bloch, I have been complaining to all my specialists for 1 year regarding chest pressure. I feel tightness and pain/pressure in upper part of chest, both front and back. The Ct of Chest done in July, did not show anything else than stable small nodule, that has been there since 11/2012. The blood test for sarcoidosis was negative. I had a chest X Ray with a SNIFF test done, it was negative. I had a Pulmonary Function Test done in December, it showed small airway obstruction. I feel such agony tightness, chest heavy ness, with shortness of breath. I saw my local pulmonologist yesterday, she put me on Albuteral puffers as needed, and repeat Ct on chest in 6 months.
The puffers does nothing.
Cardiologist put me on Norvasc 2.5 mg daily, not for hypertension, but as a antispasm action on blood vessels.
I wonder: Should I not have some sort of specialiced CT or MRI ? to check more??

Well, my dry mouth problems is possibly due to all the meds I am taking, the anticholinergic ones, Amitripthyline and Enablex. And I guess, the Lyrica can possible cause some too, I have to check.

but I ended up with so dry eyes and blurred vision, I have now cut back on the Enablex to every other day, and I have further cut back on the Amitripthyline ( they wanted me on 50 mg!!!, I hav cut it back to 30, then 20, and now to 10 mg. I know it is probably the best med for my neuropathy.
I am booking apt with my opthomologist because I have also had light flashes. and I had a previous cerebral aneurysm just behind the left optic nerve. And that is the eye having light flashes. and often stabbing ice pick type head aches.
The neuropathy is terrific!!

Fortunately, I have not had a lot of joint pain recently. I did years ago when my Lupus was active and took prednisone. These days, with the SS, I only have joint pain now and again (thank goodness!) and take Ibuprofen. My rheumie gave me a small amount of Tylenol with codeine if I have exceptionally bad days (have only used once;don't really like them, but it did help) and I have Lidocaine patches (RX).l I have Sarno patches, which you can buy OTC. The patches aren't really for joint pain per say, but more for large areas of pain.

My neuropathy in my feet is mild...thank goodness, because when it was bad, it did hurt a lot. I haven't really tested it though, because I stopped exercising and sort of baby my feet. I swear by Kerasal NeuroCream, which can be purchased OTC. I use it twice a day and it has greatly reduced the discomfort in my feet. Only the new Neurocream works. When I try to exercise again, it might be a different story.

I think it is important to optimize our d3 and b12 intake and get mine tested rather frequently and take a relatively high dosage of both. I have tried very hard to reduce my sugar intake too...but mess up now and then. Working harder on that.

Yes, I am diligent about the dental care...I have heard repeatedly this is a must!!!! My chest pain is gone...but my cold lingered, turned into sinusitis and then bronchitis. I had a chest xray to rule out pneumonia, etc. I'm fine now....but the entire ordeal really lingered. I'm considering buying a vaporizer to use now and again when congested.

I have purchased an excellent air purifier for the home and use it daily, take chewable vitamin C, take much more if I'm around someone with a cold or have the smallest symptom of a cold or allergy and do the same with zinc lozenges. I also wash my hands much more frequently. And if I'm around someone with a cold, the second I get home, I change my clothing, and scrub my hands and face and take my extra vitamins. It sounds extreme...but I think due to the reduction of saliva...we are short of natural protective mechanisms and are more prone to colds and even worse...like bronchitis.

I avoid Prednisone these days. From taking it years ago, it caused me big problems down the road...so be careful!

Hang in there!!!!