How does scleroderma affect the face?

How does scleroderma affect the face?

Severe tightening of facial skin can make it difficult to open your mouth wide enough to brush your teeth. Acid reflux can destroy tooth enamel, and changes in gum tissue may cause your teeth to become loose or even fall out. Dry eyes and mouth. Limited scleroderma can cause very dry eyes and mouth.

Does scleroderma affect your teeth and gums?

People living with scleroderma face unique challenges while trying to maintain their oral health. They are more likely to be affected by dental conditions such as small mouth, dry mouth, jaw pain, gum disease, and dietary issues.

Why is my mouth opening so small?

We are presenting five cases of reduced mouth opening, with unusual etiological factors like caustic soda ingestion, oral sub-mucous fibrosis, space infection, temporomandibular joint ankylosis and zygomatic arch fracture and their surgical management.

What does skin look like with scleroderma?

Skin. Nearly everyone who has scleroderma experiences a hardening and tightening of patches of skin. These patches may be shaped like ovals or straight lines, or cover wide areas of the trunk and limbs. The number, location and size of the patches vary by type of scleroderma.

Does scleroderma cause dry mouth?

In particular scleroderma may cause a tightening the of the soft tissues of the face and mouth thus limiting mouth opening and, separately, may lessen the function of the saliva glands thus causing the mouth to be dry.

Can scleroderma cause loose teeth?

This change in facial shape and appearance can cause multiple complications, including tooth loss due to the recession of the gums and tooth root reabsorption.

Why I can’t open my mouth wide?

What is trismus? Trismus, also sometimes called lockjaw, is a painful condition in which the chewing muscles of the jaw become contracted and sometimes inflamed, preventing the mouth from fully opening.