How Gluten Affects Your Teeth
Gluten and Your Oral Health
Now more than ever we are hearing about gluten and how eating it can affect our bodies. Many individuals suffer with a gluten allergy or sensitivity (known as Celiac Disease), while others have seen positive effects from removing gluten from their diet for other reasons. Gluten free cookbooks and lifestyle blogs are popping up everywhere, but many people are still unsure about what gluten actually is and what kind of effect it can it have on overall health? What about the effects of gluten on our oral health?
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in grains and wheat used in a number of different foods we eat every day including breads, pasta, and more. For those individuals who suffer with gluten sensitivity, the gluten found in these products stops their body from absorbing important nutrients and can also negatively affect the lining of their small intestine. It has been estimated that over 18 million Americans suffer from some form of gluten sensitivity while almost 2 million have Celiac Disease.
Gluten and Your Oral Health
Those who have Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity also have to worry about the effect gluten has on oral health. Studies have shown that those diagnosed with Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity can also suffer from:
- Damage to Tooth Enamel
- Canker Sores
- Discoloration of the Teeth including Brown and Yellow Spots
- Inflammatory Gum Disease
- Bad Breath
Preventing Negative Effects of Gluten
If you are someone you know suffers from a gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease, it is likely a doctor has recommended a strictly gluten free diet to help minimize the negative effects this protein can have. Additionally, individuals with these conditions should visit their dentist regularly to help treat the negative effects of gluten as well as maintain proper oral health. By following a gluten-free diet plan, it is possible to lead a normal life with few interruptions from gluten issues.
Gluten-Free Resources
As mentioned earlier, gluten sensitivity and Celiac Disease have more exposure than ever, which means there are more resources of which people can take advantage. If you are struggling to follow a gluten-free diet, look into the different blogs and cookbooks that are available – they contain delicious recipes that help you stick to your diet and avoid harmful gluten to protect your body and your mouth.
If you are diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity, you may want to visit your dentist to work out a proper oral hygiene program to complement the care by your general physician. If you are avoiding the dentist because you do not have dental coverage, consider the Wellness Dental Plan. We offer business, individual, and family dental plans that can save you as much as 20 percent off your dental bills. For more information, please click here.
*Photo Courtesy of Whatsername via Creative Commons License
