Celiac is a debilitating autoimmune disease. When certain people eat gluten, their body cannot process the protein. This leads to a person’s immune system attacking the small intestines. Gluten is in products like grains, such as rye, wheat, and barley. This is a hereditary condition that can affect 1 in 10 people if your immediate family has the disease. You can visit CP Dental’s clinic in Coopers Plain to know how to prevent this disease.

Oral Health in Children

Celiac disease and teeth in children are cause for alarm. The autoimmune disease attacks the enamel that creates rough patches and blotted discolorations. This will affect the baby teeth as well as their adult teeth when they come in.

Untreated celiac disease can affect a child’s baby teeth in another aspect. It will take longer for the child to lose their baby teeth and grow their adult teeth. This process can be painful as the adult teeth push through the gums at a slower rate.

Other issues can arise with celiac disease and teeth. Bad breath is a common occurrence. Even if the child brushes and flosses regularly, bad breath will be present. An unusual amount of cavities is also a red flag.

Oral Health in Adults

According to the American Dental Association, adults with celiac disease are less likely to have problems with their teeth. The theory is because their teeth were already developed when they become gluten intolerant. If the disease was left untreated, they would already have had problems with their teeth. Often, the issues with celiac disease and teeth are not discovered at an early age.

Other mouth problems can be associated with this medical condition. These include canker sores, dry mouth, and discolored gums. Early diagnosis of celiac disease will help in keeping a person’s teeth healthy. A dentist may be able to see the symptoms in a child so the autoimmune disease can be controlled. However, once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed.