Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the joints leading to destruction and deformities.

Rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease are both inflammatory diseases, and research suggests that they can contribute to making each other worse; a two-way process where people with rheumatoid arthritis can have higher rates of gum disease, and gum disease, in some patients, seems to be associated with increasing rheumatoid arthritis activity. There may be an association between a harmful type of bacteria, found in the inflamed dental pockets in people with gum disease, which is thought to stimulate disease activity leading to possible rheumatoid flares. Treatment of gum disease may improve the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Professional treatment of gum disease and good oral hygiene will result in a healthier mouth with less inflammation which is a benefit to everyone.