Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and Oral Health

May 13 , 2025

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurological condition that affects the central nervous system. While symptoms like muscle weakness, fatigue, and vision problems are well-known, the connection between MS and oral health is often overlooked. This World MS Day, we shine a light on how MS can impact dental care—and what patients and professionals can do to manage it.

MS affects nerve signaling throughout the body, including the face and mouth. These disruptions can cause a variety of oral health challenges, from difficulty brushing and flossing to changes in saliva production. Understanding these impacts is essential to providing compassionate, effective dental care for those living with MS.

Common Oral Health Challenges with MS
People with MS may experience muscle spasms, numbness, or facial pain that make basic oral hygiene difficult. For instance, limited dexterity in the hands can interfere with brushing and flossing, while facial nerve pain (trigeminal neuralgia) can make even gentle touch feel unbearable.

Some patients develop dry mouth due to medications used to manage MS symptoms, which can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. Others may notice delays in healing after dental procedures or experience sensitivity due to nerve-related changes.

Barriers to Dental Care
Transportation challenges, fatigue, and physical discomfort often lead to missed dental appointments. In some cases, patients feel anxious or embarrassed about their ability to manage oral care, which may delay visits further and worsen conditions over time.

Dental professionals should be aware of these barriers and offer solutions like scheduling shorter appointments, providing support tools (e.g., electric toothbrushes or floss holders), and maintaining clear communication with a patient’s healthcare team.

Oral Care Tips for Patients with MS
Adapting your dental routine to accommodate MS symptoms can help you maintain a healthy smile. Here are some tips:

• Use adaptive dental tools such as electric toothbrushes with large grips or floss picks

• Schedule dental visits for times of day when energy levels are highest

• Keep a consistent routine even on fatigue-heavy days

• Stay hydrated and speak with your doctor or dentist about products that relieve dry mouth

• Ask your dental provider for fluoride treatments or prescription-strength toothpaste

The Role of Dental Professionals
Dental teams can play a major role in improving the oral health of patients with MS. Creating an accessible, judgment-free environment and offering personalized care plans are key. Simple accommodations, like allowing frequent breaks during procedures or providing written instructions post-visit, go a long way.

Coordinating care with neurologists and other providers can also lead to better outcomes, ensuring that medications and MS treatments are considered when planning dental work.

Raising Awareness This World MS Day
MS doesn’t just affect mobility—it can impact everyday tasks, including oral hygiene. This World MS Day, we encourage patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to talk more openly about oral health. Small changes in routine or dental care delivery can make a big difference in long-term wellness.

Let’s stand with those living with MS and help them protect not just their overall health—but their smiles, too.