Lyme Disease Teeth Issues: What to Know

We have compiled the information you need to know about Lyme disease teeth and dental health issues.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through tick bites. It often manifests with a distinctive rash called erythema migrans (EM). EM typically appears within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite, though it can sometimes take longer to develop.

The latency period, signs, and symptoms associated with Lyme disease can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may also show other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle and joint aches.

Of course, not all bites by infected ticks result in a Lyme rash. Anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to ticks and experiences symptoms should seek medical evaluation promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic Lyme disease, characterized by persistent symptoms lasting beyond standard antibiotic treatment, can also occur. Without timely intervention, these complications can have significant long-term effects on health.

When Lyme disease is left untreated, it could have a significant impact on essential body organs or systems that include the heart, joints, and nervous system. When Lyme disease is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications affecting various body systems. If the infection spreads beyond the initial site of the tick bite, it can result in symptoms such as arthritis, neurological problems, cardiac issues, and issues with inflammation.

It can also possibly cause dental issues. Lyme disease teeth issues are increasingly becoming an area of scientific study (including neuropathy mimicking dental pain).

Lyme Disease Teeth Issues

Here are some dental issues that people with Lyme disease might encounter:

1. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Issues: Lyme disease can cause inflammation in the joints, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This can lead to jaw pain, difficulty in opening and closing the mouth, and discomfort while chewing.
2. Facial and Dental Pain: People with Lyme disease may experience neuropathic pain, which can manifest as facial pain or tooth pain. This pain can be diffuse and migratory, making it hard to pinpoint the exact cause or location.
3. Trigeminal Neuralgia: Lyme disease can affect the trigeminal nerve, leading to a condition known as trigeminal neuralgia. This condition causes severe, shooting facial pain that can be mistaken for dental pain.
4. Tooth Sensitivity and Aching: Due to nerve involvement, people with Lyme disease might experience increased tooth sensitivity or a general aching sensation in their teeth and gums.
5. Oral and Systemic Inflammation: The systemic inflammation associated with Lyme disease can also affect oral tissues, potentially leading to gum inflammation (gingivitis) or periodontal disease.
6. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): Some people with Lyme disease report dry mouth, which can be a side effect of the disease itself or the medications used to treat it. Dry mouth increases the risk of dental caries and gum disease.
7. Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Stress and discomfort from chronic illness like Lyme disease can lead to bruxism, which can cause tooth wear, fractures, and TMJ issues.
8. Secondary Infections: Lyme disease can compromise the immune system, making people more susceptible to secondary infections, such as oral infections like thrush (oral candidiasis) or periodontal infections.
9. Difficulty in Healing: People with Lyme disease might experience slower healing after dental procedures due to their compromised immune system and overall health status.
10. Oral Ulcers: Some people might develop oral ulcers or sores, possibly related to the immune response or secondary infections.

People with Lyme disease experiencing dental issues should work closely with both their dentist and their primary care physician or Lyme disease specialist to manage symptoms and treatment effectively. It’s important for dental professionals to be aware of your Lyme disease diagnosis to provide appropriate care and avoid potential complications.

Herbal Support for Lyme Disease

Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra) is used worldwide to provide support for kidney stones and various chronic illnesses. It has significant antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-plasmodial properties. It’s the great “unmasker” known for helping to alert the immune system to hiding pathogens.

Research suggests Phyllanthus niruri may be able to block the Lyme disease spirochete from replicating. It may interfere with the outer surface proteins that enable Borrelia burgdorferi to evade the immune system.

Phyllanthus niruri is the first product Linden Botanicals sold. Later, we curated two other herbal supplements that can provide exceptional support for long term Lyme disease symptoms: Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Cistus incanus.

Cistus incanus can help with the removal of biofilms and support mitochondrial health. It offers significant immune support, dissolves biofilm, and supports mitochondrial health. Cistus incanus is also helpful for providing dental support, including support for Lyme disease teeth issues.

Cryptolepis provides immune support against a wide range of health concerns, including Lyme disease, malaria, and bacterial and yeast infections. Cryptolepis has the distinction of being the only herbal with reported activity against all forms of the bacteria that is at the root of Lyme disease.

Phyllanthus niruri, Cryptolepis, and Cistus incanus can function as broad synergistic support for your health and wellness goals. These three herbal supplements can inhibit the lifecycle of persister bacteria, protect against free radical damage, and support kidney, liver, and mitochondrial health.

Both Phyllanthus niruri and Cryptolepis support a healthy microbiome. Phyllanthus niruri supports the immune system adaptogenically. It can help quell an overactive system or activate a system that has been turned off by a pathogen. Together, Phyllanthus niruri and Cistus incanus can support the liver and kidneys while the body “detoxes” during the elimination of the pathogen.

Linden Botanicals sells Phyllanthus niruri, Cistus incanus, Cryptolepis as individual herbal supplements. We also sell Phyllanthus niruri and Cistus incanus as looseleaf herbal teas. We sell all three together in our proprietary Persister Desister Lyme Support Kits.

Try Persister Desister

Persister Desister Kits are designed to help address Lyme disease long-term symptoms. The three individually packaged herbal supplements in each kit  — Cryptolepis, Cistus incanus, and Phyllanthus niruri — have the potential to help the immune system get back on track.

The goal is to support treatment for Lyme disease and its possible systemic effects, including Lyme disease teeth issues. may be able to help your immune system function optimally and “unmask” an agent that is hiding from your natural defenses. This advanced immune support formula is designed to reengage your body’s natural defenses against persisting pathogens.

Working together with your body, the supplements in Persister Desister can disrupt a pathogen’s ability to hide in biofilms, interrupt the communication between pathogens, and degrade their ability to replicate.

For more information, check out the Persister Desister FAQ and our Lyme Disease Resources. Also, our free Lessons from the Darkness e-book chronicles Michael Van der Linden’s four-year battle with Lyme disease.