Oral hygiene suitable for celiacs

Celiac disease or celiac disease is a reaction of the immune system to the consumption of gluten . This protein is mainly found in cereals, but can be found in many other products. Among them, toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Although there is no cure for celiac disease, following a gluten-free diet allows you to control the disease, restore intestinal health and prevent serious complications. That is why celiac or intolerant people should monitor their diet.

People with celiac disease should choose gluten-free toothpastes, mouthwashes and oral hygiene products.

Toothpastes, mouthwashes and most hygiene and oral health care products are not formulated to be ingested. However, when in contact with the mouth, small amounts can be accidentally swallowed. This usually happens especially in the case of children.

In this way, people with celiac disease and intolerant to this protein should make sure that they use a gluten-free toothpaste and that it is not present in the other oral hygiene products they use.

It should also be remembered that there are symptoms of celiac disease that are manifested in the teeth, tongue and mouth in general.

Celiac symptoms in the mouth

People who suffer from celiac disease should pay special attention to their oral health, since they have a higher risk of suffering from oral conditions.

• Defects in tooth enamel . An undiagnosed or poorly controlled celiac disease during the period of tooth formation can affect the development of tooth enamel in both baby and permanent teeth. This happens as a consequence of the immune reaction caused by gluten and the inability to absorb certain nutrients. Symptoms of celiac disease in the teeth are theappearance of yellowish or brown spots, the presence of horizontal lines or fractured or chipped teeth.

• Delay in tooth development . Another symptom of celiac disease in children is delayed tooth development. This implies that both milk teeth and permanent teeth take longer to come out.

• Recurring canker sores . The frequency of appearance of thrush in the mouth seems to be higher in people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

• cavities _ Recent studies have shown that children with celiac disease have an increased risk of cavities. This appears to be due to structural changes taking place in baby teeth, defects in the enamel and decreased salivary flow, making them less resistant to caries. However, some studies maintain that these patients, by having a dietary restriction, avoid as much consumption of sugars found in foods with gluten.

• Dry mouth syndrome . Celiac disease can cause xerostomia or mouth syndrome, even without altering salivary flow, since it can be caused by changes in the organic and inorganic composition of saliva.

How should oral hygiene be in celiac people?

The risks of celiac disease in oral health mean that people with this disease must take special care in brushing their teeth and their oral hygiene.

This implies brushing the teeth after each meal, using interproximal hygiene instruments and completing the brushing with a mouthwash.

To minimize any risk, it is important to choose gluten-free and fluoride-containing toothpastes and make sure that this protein is also not included in any rinses, mouth sprays or other oral care products.

It is also essential to go to dental check-ups in order to maintain good oral health and, in case of complications, to be able to treat them early.

These visits to the dentist are especially important in children, since many times the first suspicions of celiac disease take place in their office.

Oral hygiene suitable for celiacs