How Does Fibromyalgia Affect Dental Treatment?

Okay, first things first; most of us haven’t the faintest idea what fibromyalgia is; so let’s find out a bit more about that before we look into the fibromyalgia dental considerations.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is an affliction with many and varied complications. Fibromyalgia – sometimes called simply fibro or, less simply, fibromyalgia syndrome – is, sadly in most cases, a chronic disorder. Essentially, it leads to pain, tenderness, and fatigue in our muscles and bones.

Fibromyalgia Accentuates Pain

That’s the awful thing about this strange condition; pain signals to the brain are dialled up and generally stay up. As a result, all forms of pain hurt more than they otherwise would and even a small bruise can be a source of real anguish.

Likewise, any toothache or gum infection will be a far more intense and uncomfortable experience for someone suffering from fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Causes

While there is no definitive evidence to support causes as yet, genes do seem to play a part. In other words, if there is a history of fibromyalgia in your family, you’re more at risk.

Fibromyalgia has also been linked to emotional or physical abuse as a child and post-traumatic stress disorder, both circumstances that can alter the way the brain deals with pain.

Arthritis also increases your chances of developing fibromyalgia. And you’re far more likely to develop fibromyalgia if you’re a woman. Why? For now, medical experts suggest that this may be due to the way men and women process pain.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Well, they’re many and varied, in fact, spectacularly many and varied; so much so that fibromyalgia symptoms can look like many other conditions. But, in general terms, the onset of fibromyalgia will involve the appearance of one or more of these issues:

• A general increase in pain and tender points

• Fatigue

• Problems sleeping

• Concentration and memory issues sometimes called fibro fog

• Limb stiffness in the morning

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Numbness

• Tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs

• Headaches.

How does fibromyalgia affect dental treatment?

Well, it’s not so much fibromyalgia itself that can wreak havoc with our teeth, more the medications prescribed to fight fibromyalgia; that’s the real concern. These medications can make our mouths extremely dry.

How can a dry mouth be that bad?

A dry mouth means no saliva and one of the great benefits of saliva is that it fights the very sugars and acids that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Without saliva, our mouths become open season for bacteria and tooth decay.

Fibromyalgia can cause teeth grinding

And that can wear down tooth enamel, cause further decay and even break teeth leading to awful pain.

How should dentists deal with patients with fibromyalgia?

Obviously, with great care. Pain levels are going to be vastly higher than normal. So, the first thing is to ensure a fibromyalgia patient is as comfortable as possible with extra pillows and support in the chair.

Equally obviously, careful consideration must be given to painkillers, both for numbing the pain of tooth treatment and using anaesthetising needles; oral painkillers may need to be given before any dental work begins.

Fibromyalgia sufferers should also be encouraged to maintain a very stringent dental hygiene regime of brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

Would you like to play your part in helping fibromyalgia sufferers and all other patients have a positive dental experience? Become a Dental Assistant with our HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting course or check out some of our other Dental courses. Enquire now or call us on 1300 616 197 to speak to one of our Careers Advisors for more information today.

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