I have the same problem. Fortunately I have been able to afford the necessary dental procedures to keep the teeth in my mouth - albeit via root canals and crowns. Dentist & Rheumy chalk it up to SLE and SS. I even had adult orthodontics to straighten very crooked teeth and that has helped my prevent more troubles since I can now access all sides of every tooth - the nine that still have roots:) Another joy of lupus - the disease that keeps on giving...
Wow, what timing. I am dealing with this same issue. Recently, two fillings fell out and and one crown came off and took the crumbling top of the tooth with it. I can not afford root canals or implants and don't know what to do. I am trying to just deal with the pain but it's getting hard to cope. I am wondering if it will just continue happening and I'm already 54, should I consider just giving in and get dentures? It might just be cheaper in the long run. I really would like to hear from you guys on this issue because I can't seem to find info!
Thank you Destiny for your info. The best I have found so far.
Well this topic certainly hit a nerve…ouch!! Unfortunately, too many … My mouth has been going downhill the last 5 -10 years like really fast. I flossed constantly, but notice lately how fast the plaque builds up on my teeth. This would confirm that lack of moisture due to sjogren’s ( which I would guess most of us have along with the big L ) is responsible. I have had dry mouth for as far back as I remember, even in my wedding photos over 20 years ago you can spot my seltzer bottle next to me in the church and behind me in the receiving line. I can laugh about it but to the average person they do not realise how important it is that I have my water with me at all times. I carried it around years before it was fashionable. Lol… But the last few years my teeth have been falling apart, literally breaking like brittle candy even with the softest of foods. My dentist has a to do list of more mouth repairs that totals more than $ 10,000. Which I cannot afford. He has me use special fluoride rinse gels and biotene products but I think it really doesn’t help. It has to do with our immune systems and biological framework from the inside. We need to advocate more research and meds on this aspect of lupus. It’s scary because the mouth can set you up for all other kinds of health issues. A lot of us probably have heart and valve complications so the double edge sword is that we must try to keep regular dental check ups. ( I don’t ) I guess at the very least, without feeling guilty or sounding trivial…this is something that we need to share with our primaries and Rheumys. I hope you all have a restful Sunday and here’s smiling at all of you… Love & peace, Maré
Thank you Dtiny, very imformative!! :). : D 
Destiny Scott said:
Ok. So with this disease and various medications, comes dry mouth. This causes rapid tooth decay. I had 7 fillings and a root canal and crown when I was 25. It’s been 11 years now and I just had two teeth extracted, have at least 5 cavaties and need another crown and root canal. My insurance covers some but not all the work I need. I can afford the major stuff. It is actually cheaper for me to save up and.buy snap on smiles. I shopped around and found it fairly cheap, well for what it is. The only problem is you can only eat soft foods with it. I forgot to mention, I have lost or had to have 8 teeth removed sadly. All back thank God.
If you have metal fillings, they can fracture or wear over time. Any tiny lift can expose your tooth and cause further decay. Resin is the best way to go and is usually about 10 to 20 dollars extra per filling. I know that is hard for most anyone but if you can spring it, do it for yourself. It also is naturally looking so the metal doesn’t make your tooth look gray or black.
There is a wonderful medicine you can ask your doctor to prescribe called Pilocarpine. All it does is help create saliva. It is more affective than anything over the counter and has slowed the decay. Also, there are temporary filling kits that can be bought from drug stores and grocery stores. It really helps when you can’t get immediate help. Rinse or gargle with over the counter peroxide. It doesn’t taste that great but will help.with gum bleeding. I also swear by Crest Pro Health. It is wonderful if you have sensitive teeth and helps with a lot of different mouth issues.
If you drink soft drinks, they can actually rob you of calcium. I know all this stinks, especially when we have enough to overcome but there are measures you can take to prolong the health and life of your teeth. Hope this helps. Stay blessed.
PS: If you ever have a tooth extracted and get dry socket, there is something called red cross kit that you can buy over the counter that works wonders for this. Dry socket is when the clot comes out and your jaw none is exposed. It is excruciating and horrible pain. Good luck.