The effect of multiple sclerosis on oral health

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neuro-degenerative disease often appearing in people aged 20-40 years, although children and older people can also be affected. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves).

In the UK, over 100 000 people are affected with MS and it can cause severe disability, resulting in those with the disease having a life expectancy around 10 years lower than the population at large. Twice as many women as men suffer from MS (NHS Choices, 2012). The precise cause of MS is unknown but there are indications that both genetic and environmental factors are important. There is still no cure for the disease and no clear way of preventing it, and treatment aims to reduce long-term disability. It runs an unpredictable course and affects different people in different ways.