In this condition, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland itself, resulting in progressive damage and eventually decreased thyroid function.
In this article we will present a view of how dental health and the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may be interconnected.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can vary, but often include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, depression, muscle weakness, joint pain, dry and brittle hair, and menstrual irregularities.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and eventually destruction of thyroid tissue.
These are some main characteristics of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:
—Autoimmunity: In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and damage to thyroid tissue.
—Hypothyroidism: As the thyroid gland is damaged by inflammation, it becomes unable to produce enough thyroid hormones. This results in hypothyroidism, in which the body does not produce thyroid hormones at adequate levels to maintain normal metabolic functions.
—Increased size of the thyroid (goiter): In many cases, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can lead to an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, resulting in a goiter.
—Symptoms of hypothyroidism: Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin, constipation, brittle hair and nails, slow heart rate, muscle weakness, depression, and problems with memory and concentration.
—Presence of antibodies: In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, there is usually the presence of antithyroid antibodies in the blood, such as antithyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG) and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO). The presence of these antibodies can help in diagnosing the disease.
—Familial incidence: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis tends to occur more frequently in families with a history of autoimmune diseases, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the condition.
But the question is how can Hashimoto’s thyroiditis be associated with oral health problems?
Could inflammation in the oral cavity or the presence of interfering fields be associated with the origin of the disease?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, as an autoimmune disease, causes widespread chronic inflammation at a systemic level. This systemic inflammation causes changes in general health and can directly affect oral health and present the following symptoms:
—Xerostomia (dry mouth): Dry mouth is a common symptom in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Decreased saliva production can increase the risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease and fungal infections in the mouth.
—Changes in the oral mucosa: Some patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may experience changes in the oral mucosa, such as inflammation or dry, thickened oral mucosa.
—Gum problems: People with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may be more prone to gum problems, such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
—Tooth cavities: Due to dry mouth and possible changes in the composition of saliva, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have a greater risk of developing tooth cavities.
—Changes in the salivary gland: Some patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have an enlarged salivary gland, which can lead to symptoms of discomfort or swelling in the region.
In addition to the possible oral health problems caused by the presence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, we must not forget that the presence of interfering fields in the oral cavity, such as teeth with endodontic treatments with associated cysts, the presence of metals in the oral cavity, impacted teeth, teeth with cysts and post-extraction zones with cavitations (or NICO) increase the overexpression of the inflammatory cytokine RANTES or CCL5 which, consequently, increases the predisposition of autoimmune diseases in the body.
Treatment of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis generally involves hormone replacement, that is, the administration of synthetic thyroid hormones to compensate for the hormone deficiency caused by the disease. In some cases, it may be necessary to monitor the size of the thyroid and treat the goiter, especially if it is causing physical symptoms or compression of adjacent structures. In addition to thyroid hormone therapy, some people may benefit from other approaches, such as selenium supplementation, which can help reduce thyroid inflammation in some cases. However, we should not rule out the presence of previously mentioned interfering fields in the oral cavity, which may be worsening the progression of the disease.
For this reason, it is important that these patients have a consultation with a dentist with an integrative approach and undergo a CBCT to identify these interfering fields. Regular medical follow-up is important to monitor hormone levels and adjust treatment as necessary.
