Dentistry and rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, chronic, and complex illness with unknown etiology that primarily affects the joints and can be quite debilitating. Joint pain, stiffness, and edema are the primary signs and symptoms. However, because the disease’s symptoms resemble those of other disorders, it is challenging to diagnose in its early stages. In addition, the fact that RA reacts variably to numerous kinds of therapies makes treatment challenging. Many patients are treated with long-term glucocorticoids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, or both with accompanying toxicity. Other treatment options are disease-modifying antirheumatic medications such as azathioprine, rituximab, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. Numerous oral manifestations have been related to the condition, including dry mouth, secondary Sjögren’s syndrome, temporomandibular joint abnormalities, and periodontal disease. Moreover, there are several major and minor drug interactions between medications used for the treatment of RA and drugs prescribed on a daily basis in dental practices. This article aims to give dental professionals who work in primary care, community dentistry, or hospitals the theoretical background and knowledge they need to manage patients diagnosed with RA. The review included all eligible articles in English published from 1992 to 2024. Scientific posters, letters to the editor, and commentary were all excluded from the study. Two databases were used (Google Scholar and PubMed Medline). RA has a major effect on oral health, including conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorders, dry mouth, and periodontal disease. These oral conditions can deteriorate the symptoms of RA, leading to an endless cycle that makes therapy more difficult. Medications that are used to treat RA, particularly disease-modifying antirheumatic medications and glucocorticoids, often lead to oral complications that require careful management by dental professionals. Finally, managing the oral health issues that rheumatoid arthritis patients experience requires regular dental appointments and good oral hygiene practices. RA patients need an interdisciplinary approach to the management and care of oral health. Regular dental checkups, effective oral hygiene practices, and collaboration with rheumatologists, and other healthcare providers are essential to comprehensive care. General dental practitioners and specialists in the dental field should have the background and knowledge to manage RA patients.