Dentist's Office in Indianapolis discuss Dental Implants for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Before we get any further, let us first understand what MS is. Multiple Sclerosis is a complication in the nervous system that attacks one’s spinal cord and brain. It impairs the myelin sheath– the material that safeguards your nerve cells. As a result, messages that travel to and fro your brain and body slow down or get blocked.
Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis include poor muscle control, coordination, balance, and memory, and sensations of prickling (“pins and needles”) and numbness.
Dental Problems for Patients with MS
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an overwhelming disorder with parallel dental health complications. One of which is the weakening and eventual loss of muscle control. This medical disorder makes it hard for the people suffering from it perform common dental hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing. Poor dental hygiene will eventually make way for bacteria to attack and compromise the teeth’s defenses.
Multiple Sclerosis patients often find it hard to stay relaxed at the dentist’s office, which leads to prolonged examinations and dental procedures. The challenge for the dentist is to keep the appointment as short as possible, as this could cause the patient’s MS symptoms such as fatigue, stress, and muscle spasms to arise.
Dentures and Dental Implants
MS patients who are at advanced stages of the disease could experience trouble in wearing dentures, be it full or partial. Since a dry mouth is a common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis, eating and talking will become much more tasking; all the more will it be when wearing dentures. Poor muscle control will also make it harder for MS patients to maintain the fit of the dentures especially when advanced symptoms start to manifest.
As a solution to this problem, dental implants can be installed for denture support. Moreover, dental implants can also reduce the risk of denture dislodging.
Conclusion
There is very few literature that indicates alternative solutions to common dental treatments which may not be suitable for MS patients, so it is a good idea to consult both your physician and dentist to ensure proper guidance.
Contact your dentist's office in Indianapolis to learn practical ways to take care of the dental health of someone with Multiple Sclerosis.
