Psoriasis affects two to three percent of the population. It is a chronic inflammatory disease. Psoriasis is not more likely to occur in one sex over the other. The condition can lay dormant until triggered by:
- Infections
- Medication
- Stress
Periodontal disease is more prevalent and affects 47% of US adults. Increased inflammatory levels can trigger periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is more likely to occur in older people, males, and people who smoke or have diabetes. There is an increased risk of psoriasis for those with mild to severe periodontal bone loss.
Research has shown that people with psoriasis are more likely to have worse dental health than non-psoriasis patients. This is due to gum inflammation, bone loss, fewer remaining teeth, and more missing teeth.
Psoriasis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that appears with scaly, red skin plaques on your skin. Oral psoriasis is a condition that can occur on your tongue and gums. However, no research shows you can get psoriasis on your teeth.
Oral psoriasis affects the inside of your mouth and most frequently appears as chronic plaque psoriasis. These psoriasis patches typically occur on your elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp. Though uncommon, oral psoriasis forms into oral lesions. You may notice the following symptoms if you have psoriasis in your mouth:
- Irregular red patches with raised yellow or white borders
- Redness on the inside of your mouth
- Ulcers
- Peeling gums
- Pustules in your mouth
It’s hard to get an oral psoriasis diagnosis because of its rarity. There’s not enough research to have defined criteria. That makes it more difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat oral psoriasis. But if you do get psoriasis in your mouth, it will be more likely on your tongue or gums and not on your teeth.
If you've been diagnosed with psoriasis and start noticing pain or discomfort in your mouth, you should see your doctor. They may recommend you to a specialist to determine if your psoriasis or dental issues need addressing. Let your doctor or dentist know about gum inflammation or discomfort. They'll be able to create a treatment or pain management plan for you to use until psoriasis subsides.
You'll want to identify triggers, especially any food triggers that could worsen your mouth's psoriasis. Make sure to avoid environments, food, or items that make your psoriasis worse and itchier.