Answer Summary

Members widely validated the experience of jaw and tooth pain, sharing that dental issues often led to their autoimmune diagnoses, with one... Read more

Members widely validated the experience of jaw and tooth pain, sharing that dental issues often led to their autoimmune diagnoses, with one member discovering Sjogren's Syndrome through a dentist who noticed severe dry mouth, and others learning that RA can affect jaw joints (TMJ), tooth ligaments, and overall oral health. Several members described practical struggles including extensive dental work, multiple cavities caused by dry mouth, teeth grinding, loose teeth, and throbbing pain that sometimes wakes them at night, with ice packs and ibuprofen offering relief for some. A recurring theme was the importance of getting new or persistent pain checked by a dentist, staying vigilant about oral health when living with RA or Sjogren's, and understanding that dry mouth from the disease or medications can lead to serious dental complications.