Effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis on Teeth

Okay, here this goes….This is incredibly hard for me, im literally at the end of my rope and reaching out to see if anyone, anywhere knows what to do or how to help me. Im 32 years old, a mother of 2 beautiful children. Ive had rheumatoid arthritis for 11 years and been on steroids which have destroyed my teeth. They are shattering and breaking, I won’t leave my house anymore and I am extremely embarrassed. Suicidal ideation has become a daily thing and I am scared.. I cant afford implants because of my disability and inability to work a full time job. Does anyone know anywhere that helps with funding?? I’m so desperate any help is greatly appreciated!

58 Responses

  1. I have no words to comfort but I want you to know that there is help out there. Can you try talking with the drs who treated you for the rheumatoid arthritis? If they specialize in that , they might have some type of referrals for people who are having this side effect. Big hugs to you. Please find someone to talk with , your beautiful daughters need you to be ok. Keeping you in my prayers.

  2. I also have RA and was completely in your shoes. If you go to a dental school and qualify financially they will do it for very cheap. It will take a year or longer but it is a long process either way. I didn’t quality because I had extractions a year before I decided I wanted implants and needed bone grafts so I got a home equity line of credit.

  3. I feel the same way, I understand all too well. I have 2 automatic diseases. I have lost a bunch of teeth and all the rest are broken, need a lot of care. Can’t work like normal because of sickness, and implants are unaffordable. Dentures aren’t an option for me but have you looked into those?

  4. My rheumatoid meds have affected my bones and teeth but they aren’t steroids. I wish the hell insurance companies would recognize what this has done to you and make it possible for this to be considered medical for you. You definitely qualify. Unfortunately I don’t know where to tell you to go to check into this. Maybe someone will have an idea for you.

    1. Deborah K. so even if the insurance deemed it medically necessarily usually they will just cover dentures.

      1. Amanda H. I’d take that if I wasn’t able to afford to go the way of implants. I feel bad for her. Teeth are important to physical health too. And in her case her emotional health

  5. Have you consider dentures? Nowadays are way more comfortable and aesthetic. I know teeth it’s important but you have kids, definitely way more important.🤷🏽‍♀️

  6. Hang in there my dear! Check with your universities near you, the dental schools offer help usually and especially if you have Medicare or Medicaid. I would also consider dentures. I had an upper denture for 20 years I got in my 30s after car accident left my teeth a mess. I just got my implants Monday and I am 56 years old. No one knew I even had a denture my husband of 7 years only found out Monday 🤣
    It took years for me to be afford them and if my bottom teeth hadn’t gotten so bad I probably would still have denture.

  7. Check with you state and see if you qualify for their insurance and dentures should be covered.

  8. Teeth are not worth suicidal thoughts ( nothing is in my opinion) You have babies that need you.

    1. Trice H. I said ideations, I won’t do it because I have kids. It was more to express the deep sorrow and pain I feel right now

    2. Trice H. sad to say suicidal thoughts are a real thing. Even if its just because of your teeth. I know because I feel the same way. It’s just I don’t really express those feelings. But it is so much easier to say suicide is not worth your teeth but for someone people is certainly is an option to end the pain.

    3. Trice H. but you are also so right suicide is never worth it. I’m a mother of 4 and I really needed to hear your thoughts thank you

      1. Raychelle F. if you need someone to talk to id be glad to be a friend. Its so hard

  9. I would get dentures then save up for a snap in denture( implant) It will cost me about 12 thousand as opposed to over 45 thousand and up! If you have anything on the bottom that can be saved for a partial that would help. Bottom dentures can move allot for some.
    Make sure you consult with an implant specialist before extractions. Some of your teeth may need bone grafts. Is more expensive but needed incase you don’t have enough bone.
    Please contact dental schools as well. What state are you in?

      1. Aubrey Marie B.
        I met a dentist in Southern California that was willing to give a greatly reduced rate if he can use before and afters

      1. Aubrey Marie B.
        It’s probably too far.
        My advice is to call around. Ask if they’d be willing to give big discounts if they can use you as a model!

      2. Aubrey Marie B. there is a dental school in baltimore. I went there many years ago for root canal!! A lot cheaper. I have no clue about implants though. It’s in Baltimore City try giving them a call

          1. Aubrey Marie B. no problem wish you the best! I’m hoping to get implants in Philippines next year hopefully when the country opens again and I retire there. Take care 🙂

  10. Look into Full Arch Masters Patient Portal group on FB.
    Currently rocking my digitally designed dentures and I have ZERO complaints and it has enhanced the quality of my mental and physical health leaps! Best of Luck!

      1. Lisa P. California but Full Arch Masters have docs across the US which is why you should join and see who is close 😁

        1. Solomon L. I just watched your YouTube!
          I’m calling tomorrow for my consultation.
          I’m in tears!
          I only have 3 teeth on top and 5 although 2 just broke in half on the bottom!
          I am out of my mind with excitement And trepidation!

          1. Pam Worley B. I’m so excited for you to get your journey started! Your going to be in GREAT hands!! Please keep me posted and message me with any questions or concerns you have 😁😁

  11. What meds are u on? I was just told i cant have an implant as bone loss too bad where tooth use to be….aldo on auto immune drugs

    1. Louise S. I am on prednisone and have been 11 years. I did methotrexate, humira and rituxan infusion also

      1. I’m in the same boat I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 8 I’m freshly turned 34 I have like four upper teeth left it’s miserable the pain and embarrassment- I’m on disability too with no way to save.

  12. Implants in Colombia are about 30% of the cost in USA, including travel costs.

  13. I also can not afford implants, so I got dentures. I can at least eat!!! They work really well for me.

  14. Girl mine were like that.. Most of all I went for my health.. I took medication ever since I was a child I think my mouth was dry and it affects it.. Once they break more break… I don’t know how someone would pay for it… I know insurance affected me .. So much I got my wisdom teeth out before I got married… My advice you are on the right track trying to save teeth..

  15. Oh wow!! I am overwhelmed by the kind words and words of encouragement. This has been incredibly hard for me, and for my children because I am not half the mother I could and use to be. I want to get out and enjoy life. I want to get out and change the world. But if you cant even smile at a joke or when you see your beautiful child, all because you don’t want people to see your mouth its taken away all the joy in my life and I hate it. I know I have so much to offer the world. If I ever won the lottery I would open a fund for people like us who just want to smile again.
    Dentures are what I am looking into but I can’t even afford those. My insurance doesn’t cover them. I am trying to do my art and jewelry I make and sell it to make money to raise for the teeth but I havent had any luck. To be clear I wouldn’t commit suicide, because I have two kids. I was more trying to explain the deep sadness and pain I feel inside. That I just want to not be anymore rather than not smile if that makes sense

  16. I’m scared of dentures also, both my parents have them and neither wear them because they say they hurt too much. Im terrified of this whole process I feel so broken

  17. My Advice would be to get dentures from one of those offering a package deal such as Affordable Dentures or clear choice. Then get help with a Care Credit plan. If you cant work maybe Medicaid can help you with dentures?

  18. Just want to share a story related to the arthritis in case it helps at all. Someone I know had severe psoriatic arthritis and the doctors wanted to put her on chemo drugs and strong anti inflammatories that were dangerous to be on longer than a week at a time because it was so bad. They said her inflammation levels were off the charts, the same levels as a burn victim and they thought she originally had cancer before figuring out it was the arthritis. She decided to go the natural route and see if changing her diet could help avoid the chemo drugs. She still had to take the strong anti inflammatories because she was in so much pain she couldn’t move, but she went to a naturopath and went on a strict anti inflammatory diet which was basically vegan with supplements and vitamins and paid attention to certain foods that would trigger the pain and inflammation the next day. Like if she ate red meat or bread the next day she would feel 10x worse in pain. She also did a blood test to check for any allergies or food intolerances and discovered that she was sensitive to gluten and pineapples weirdly enough so she made sure to eat gluten free food and avoid pineapples. She also made sure to listen to her body and not try to do too much, even trying to walk too much would end up bedridden the next day. She didn’t notice major positive changes on the pain for a while and often thought about giving up and going on the drugs but about 1 month later she managed to slowly wean herself down on the strong anti inflammatories after following the diet and being kind to her body. 5 months later she is doing so much better, the pain has gone from a 10 to a 3 and she can walk and do the things she used to, the only thing she can’t do is run. She slowly started introducing certain foods back one at a time to see if they have any impacts, while still avoiding the gluten and pineapples and so now she’s not as restricted on her diet, but she can balance it just enough to know what her body can handle. So now she’s almost back to normal and the rheumatologists are genuinely shocked with her recovery, yet have also written it off as her just being a “lucky case” but she is adamant that anyone can do this and it’s 100% worth trying.

  19. Search out help from local DOH in your city, county, and state. They may help. Don’t despair, you’ll be okay. 🙏🏼❤️

  20. Look into dentures, You are young, have plenty of time to get ceramic implants later in life when you might be in a better financial position.

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