While Celiac Disease (CD) is an internal condition that has to do with the small intestine’s inability to process gluten and absorb food nutrients properly, dentists may often see if and when the condition is present just by looking at the teeth. Celiac Disease, most commonly developing in children, does not begin to show symptoms until much later and often, when it has worsened. But when the tooth enamel demonstrates some problems, the dentist can seek the help of an internist to do more tests and diagnosis for confirmation.
Celiac Disease and the Teeth
Studies done in Europe as far back as the 70s point to the relationship between CD and dental problems, where tooth enamel damage is heavily present. Another study supports previous research done by saying that at least 40% to 80% do present dental health issues when other symptoms of CD are not present.
The indications of CD though oral manifestations vary from patient to patient, but the characteristics of tooth damage generally include the:
- color variegation
- the roughness of the teeth’ surface
- grooves in the dentition line
- changes in the teeth’s shape to conical or points
- severe cases that may indicate trauma to the teeth
The enamel damage is also peculiar to celiac disease, as there is symmetry to it. Meaning to say that if the incisors, for example, located on the right side shows defects, it’s also likely that its counterpart on the left side exhibit similar problems.
Other symptoms may include recurrent inflammation of the gums and ulcerations in the mouth, which are usually treated with medication and proper dental care or hygiene. Treating the symptoms of these dental problems, however, does not completely help with the real cause.
Causes
Unfortunately, it’s never easy to detect the root cause of Celiac Disease. The problem baffling experts is that no one can still explain the exact cause of why teeth damage relates to CD. Studies have yet to be done further to determine this. But there are a lot of theories.
Since small intestines have difficulty with absorption, the body may be getting fewer and fewer nutrients, including the teeth that need all these vitamins and minerals for their development. One research says that teeth enamel damage may be present because of the high concentration of HLA DR3, a kind of antigen, in the blood of CD patients. Antigens cause plaque build-up in the teeth.
Early Detection Helps
There are only about 5% of people receive a proper diagnosis for CD, as this is considered a “silent disease”. Some may think that Celiac Disease is only present in young children whose teeth are still developing, and may disregard any tooth problems as part of the process of growing up. And then there’s a minuscule percentage of adults who may have CD and don’t know it. The prevalence of teeth defects should be a clear indication that something systemic must be wrong.
At any rate, if the enamel defect is recurrent, prevalent, or severe, a consultation with the dentist and an internist should be in order, so that the real cause of this is detected early. With early detection, any damage or consequences to the body and general health are greatly reduced.
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