Can Dental Issues Cause Hashimoto’s? Dr Izabella Wentz

Another great option is the probiotic toothpaste mentioned below (also fluoride-free). One example is that the protein in gluten can mimic a protein in the thyroid gland, so when someone with a sensitivity eats gluten, their immune system may attack their thyroid, leading to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. And, although it isn’t always the first connection to come to mind, the mouth is powerfully connected to the thyroid.

• The threshold for TSH values was set as 0.35–5 μIU/mL which was used as a diagnostic measure.
• Autoimmunity occurs when immune cells attack healthy tissue instead of protecting it, leading to chronic inflammation.
• Fluoride may affect thyroid function because it shares similar properties with iodine.

Dental Hygienists’ Guide to Opportunities Abroad

Autoimmunity occurs when immune cells attack healthy tissue instead of protecting it, leading tochronic inflammation. Infants with congenital hypothyroidism can also have oral health issues, including a very small lower jaw (micrognathia) and slowed tooth eruption. The most common thyroid disease is hypothyroidism, which is when the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone.

How Thyroid Diseases Affect Your Oral Health

He reports that this method is a cure for periodontitis and has trained over six hundred dentists on the method. For more information on Dr. Bonner’s protocol and additional dental guidance, I recommend his book To Kiss or Not To Kiss. Dr. Price, a dentist who did most of his work through the 1920s and 30s, was one of the first people who connected nutrition with tooth decay.

• 2 The connection between the gut and oral microbiomes is referred to as the oral-gut microbiome axis.
• Flossing is also an important daily habit to start, as this will help to dislodge food particles (aka, food for the pathogenic bacteria).
• By informing your dentist about your thyroid condition and medication, they can provide appropriate oral care and guidance to help maintain optimal oral health.
• If you have not had a dental X-ray or dental exam in over a year, or currently suspect that you may have any dental issues, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist ASAP.

Plaque levels being similar in both the groups reduced the effect of this variable on the disease status. The participants completed a questionnaire on demographic factors, medical and dental history, and thyroxine use (dosage and duration). After implementing these strategies and tools, check the progress of your dental health regularly over time, and try to note your symptoms. The most helpful way to brush is by applying gentle pressure and a jiggling motion — and natural synthroid a Waterpik sonic toothbrush can do the work for you.

Table 3.

This study, therefore, is a preliminary investigation of the possible effects of hypothyroidism and thyroxine replacement therapy on the periodontal status. I suggest trying oral care products from companies that steer away from artificial and toxic ingredients like fluoride, and instead, focus on remineralizing teeth. I recently discovered Akamai’s Complete Oral Care Kit, and have been really happy with the results!

I recommend thinking about your dental timeline to see if you can trace any decline in your health to a dental procedure. In the meantime, let’s look at some of the potential dental triggers of Hashimoto’s and how you might address them, so that you can experience complete healing. While water won’t penetrate those microcapsules, sesame oil can, and mixes readily with the bacteria (and becomes white in color). Other oils have also been suggested to help, including coconut oil, but sesame oil is the most commonly used. Using a water pick system may be a helpful tool for displacing pathogenic bacteria so they can be easily removed from the mouth. My preferred water pick system is the Waterpik Complete Care 9.0 Sonic Electric Toothbrush and Water Flosser.

Link between thyroid disease, Hashimotos, and Gum Disease

There is evidence that radiation is linked to thyroid cancer — especially for dental professionals who are around X-ray machines consistently. 16 Many dentists say that the amount of radiation that patients are exposed to from dental X-rays is too small to be concerned about. However, professionals also have an obligation to follow certain standards of patient care, and minimize exposure to radiation. We can often prevent dental infections through the use of oral self-care, but in many cases, the infections will need additional interventions from the dentist, such as antibiotics, draining, or even surgical intervention.

The Importance of Communication between Your Medical Provider and Dentist for Optimal Health

Finasteride, by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone known to promote fibroblast activity during gingival inflammation—may disrupt normal gingival homeostasis 32. Notably, research has established a statistically significant positive correlation between testosterone levels and gingival enlargement in young patients undergoing orthodontic therapy 33. This warrants further investigation into the hormonal influences on periodontal health, particularly in patients receiving finasteride therapy. The conventional approach to treating periodontitis is based on the theory of the bacterial infection discussed above. The dentist will typically recommend regular teeth cleaning and good oral care (including the use of fluoride-containing toothpastes and treatments), along with specific procedures thought to address the bacteria. By following these dental care tips and incorporating healthy lifestyle practices, individuals on thyroid medication can promote optimal oral health.

As ethnicity and geographic locations have significant impact on thyroid disease54, the results from our study need to be confirmed in other ethnicities. Despite its longstanding widespread use for screening periodontitis, the CPI requires well-trained dentists, long examination time, and special equipment to perform55. Furthermore, the extensive subgroup and sensitivity analyses conducted within this study support the consistency of the present findings. Furthermore, we observed an association between gingival discoloration and minocycline, a finding consistent with existing literature that attributes the drug’s pro-anabolic effects on connective tissue to its therapeutic role.

As you can see, oral health is linked to overall health and is an especially important consideration for Hashimoto’s. Thyroid Storm ─ Thyroid storm is a rare, life-threatening condition with hyperthyroidism that occurs when untreated, undertreated, severe infection, or medical stressors are apparent. Complications may be high fever, dehydration, rapid and irregular heart rate, heart failure, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and disorientation.