Effects Of Celiac Disease On Your Oral Health

Does your immune system attack your own tissues when you eat gluten?

 If so, you are likely suffering from celiac disease. 

Yes, gluten is the culprit. 

Generally referred to as celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, this disease involves toxins that destroy the villi when the immune system responds to gluten.

The body cannot absorb nutrients from any food consumed. Hence, it is vital for people with celiac disease to adapt to a gluten-free diet, eliminating all forms of gluten.

Celiac disease can affect the gums and teeth. In fact, your gums and teeth often indicate if you have a digestive disease like celiac before you show any other symptoms.

Oral Manifestation

Oral health is really important for celiac patients. It has been concluded that most of the patients start facing oral health issues while they are diagnosed with celiac.

Unfortunately, oral problems can last even after you switch to a gluten-free lifestyle.

A study in Israel evaluated the oral health, bacterial colonization, and salivary buffering capacity of children with celiac disease when diagnosed and on a gluten-free diet (Shteyer et al., 2013).

All children were examined by a pediatric dentist and saliva samples were taken for bacterial and pH analysis. Further it was observed that all the children with celiac disease had a higher prevalence of enamel hypoplasia (66%).

Mouth Sores and Celiac Disease

Mouth sores are extremely painful. If you are suffering from celiac disease, these may form on the inside of your lips, around your gums, or even on your tongue.

As a celiac, there is a higher likelihood that you will develop these ulcers more frequently than non-celiacs. 

If you have recently noticed several mouth ulcers or experienced a dry mouth or dry eyes, you need to inform your doctor and consult a dentist. 

It is estimated that tooth defects and other mouth symptoms might affect over 80-90% of celiac disease patients.

It tends to affect the incisors and first molars in an asymmetrical and sequential pattern. Further testing may be required to rule out the possibility of celiac or other auto-immune diseases.

→Effects of Celiac on Oral Health In Children

1. Delay in eruption – Adult teeth are slow to develop and push through.
2. Either baby teeth or permanent teeth may be affected.
3. Enamel defects can lead to mottled teeth with white, yellow, or brown spots.
4. Recurring mouth ulcers.
5. With this condition known as atrophic glossitis, the tongue is swollen and may be painful and surface bumps have shrunken.
6. Reduced Saliva Flow.

→Effects of Celiac on Oral Health In Adults

1. Researchers suspect it’s more common in children because celiac disease occurs in adults after teeth erupt. But some adults have problems with tooth enamel ranging from bending to discoloration.
2. Recurrent mouth ulcers.
3. Smooth, red tongue – It is known as atrophic glossitis, as described opposite.

Celiac disease and enamel defects

Does your immune system damage your teeth? Various nutritional deficiencies when combined with celiac disease take a toll on your small intestines, forcing your immune system to react. This reaction damages your teeth.

#ProTip – Make regular dental visits to maintain oral hygiene.

Oral Health & Dental Products

Patients with celiac disease need to be careful of any dental products they use (such as toothpaste or mouthwash) to make sure that they are gluten-free. 

Choose brands that maintain high standards of safety and quality ensuring no use of gluten.

Which toothpaste is gluten-free?

Here is the list of few of the toothpastes that are gluten-free

• Aquafresh toothpaste 
• Crest toothpaste
• Colgate 
• Desert Essence
• Orajel baby
• Tom’s of Maine

These are some of the popular toothpaste which is free from gluten that you can add to your daily routine to maintain your oral hygiene.

Takeaway

Overall, patients with celiac disease must practice good oral hygiene habits and visit a dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and thorough examination.

By taking all the precautions and maintaining good oral hygiene a celiac patient can live a healthy and happy life.

If you have questions about gluten-free oral health, gluten-free lifestyle, celiac disease, etc. Contact us at info@glutenfreejio.com and we’ll be happy to help!