My teeth hurt

By pileah

1 min read

A couple of months ago, I went to the hairdresser to have my regular colour and trim. I had started to feel a mild flare coming on: I was more tired than usual, but functioning pretty well.

That day at the hairdresser, I had a nasty reaction to the hair dye, which had to be rinsed out only after 10 minutes or so. Afterward, I went into a long bad flare, including quite tender teeth. It started to occur the same day as the hair treatment and gradually eased after about a week.

For the last two days, I have noticed my top teeeth are hurting again. My flare has been settling over the past week, but of course, after nearly 2 months of daily severe pain and the flare-up of Raynaud's and burning tongue syndrome, it has been good to finally come up for air.

I'd really like to know what's the go with sore teeth.

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KenG Member
As my PsA has worsened over the last 5 or so years, I've found that my flares are frequently accompanied with (or slightly presaged with) pain in my teeth and the nerve tracts in my jaw. Usually, it lasts just long enough to make me think about seeing a dentist. But then, after a few days, it passes, and other elements of the flare make it seem much less important. The fact that the tooth/jaw pain follows the flare pattern suggests that it's about the PsA in my case. I suspect that I am just getting enthesitis in the ligaments and tendons that hold the teeth into the jaw, and the pain is referred to the nearest major nerve tract. Best of luck!
1. Leanne Donaldson Moderator & Contributor
 What a pain @pileah ! Your experience sounds quite similar to mine. I have many issues with PsA and my hearing. It always goes worse a handful of days before a flare. It has taken me years to truly identify the pattern as well. I know one of our advocates @elizabethmedeiors struggles a great deal with jaw, mouth, and tooth pain related to her PsA as well. Have you been able to find anything that helps prevent or mitigate the impending flare? Or at least manage the tooth pain itself? Of course, all the best of luck to your as well! -Leanne (Team Member)
Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="pileah" user-id="3307802"/> and <inline-mention username="KenG" user-id="4244288"/>. Inflammation caused by PsA can definitely affect your teeth and your jaws. Here is a wonderful article from one of our advocates about the different ways PsA-related jaw pain impacts her: <a href="https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/jaw-arthritis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://psoriatic-arthritis.com/living/jaw-arthritis</a>. I thought you might find it interesting, especially since she also mentions tooth pain. The reaction to the hair dye is odd. Could there have been something in the dye that you are allergic to and that might have triggered a flare? I hope it never happens again. Best of all wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
Diane T Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="pileah" user-id="3307802"/> , WOW!! I can relate to your story. Been going through this for 40 years, but no one ever put 2 and 2 together. Please let us know how things are going. We would love to hear from you. Diane, (Team Member)