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  • Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    By Jefferson Adams •

    Can Gluten in Orthodontic Retainers Trigger Ongoing Celiac Symptoms?

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    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 08/22/2014 - It is often hard to tell if isolated case reports have anything to contribute to the larger understanding of celiac disease. However, some case reports are enough in themselves to cause reflection, whatever their contribution to the larger scientific understanding may be.

    Photo: Wikimedia Commons--clockfaceFor most people with celiac disease, symptoms disappear and healing begins with the adoption of a gluten-free diet. For one 9-year-old girl, however, the battle to beat her symptoms and feel better did not end with a gluten-free diet.


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    The girl had initially complained of non-specific abdominal discomfort, and showed positive blood tests for celiac disease. Duodenal biopsies revealed Marsh 3B histopathology. So, she definitely had celiac disease with corresponding symptoms. Despite following a strict gluten-free diet, the girl continued to have symptoms and show positive blood tests for active disease.

    Gluten is a common additive in plastics. After some detective work, the team discovered that the child was being exposed to gluten from her orthodontic retainer that contained a plasticized methacrylate polymer.

    She discontinued its use and her symptoms disappeared and her celiac blood tests returned to normal.

    This case illustrates that, even for patients on the strictest gluten-free diet, exposure to non-dietary sources of gluten, such as those used to make plastics, dental equipment, and cosmetics, can trigger or exacerbate celiac disease symptoms. This case also emphasizes the importance of ferreting out and removing all possible sources of gluten, including non-dietary, when managing celiac disease.

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    Guest Al

    I am in the dental field and heavily involved in research in materials in the dental field.

    It is my strong opinion, that the retainer has nothing to do with the celiac symptoms. Even if at one point of time, there was gluten in the resin (but there was not), it would be bound in the resin and there is no way that 20ppm (the upper limit of gluten in a substance to be safe) would go through the stomach and ever reach the small intestine. It is my strong opinion that the retainer was not the source of the problem. Something else was the problem and whatever it was, happened to coincide with the retainer. Anecdotal reports like these cause unnecessary fear.

    I can not post a link but I suggest to search the glutenfreedietician site and this topic is discussed there also.

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    Guest PKN
    Can you please provide more information on what to ask my doctor about this potential gluten containing mater? I think I have this issue, but my appliance is not optional.

    You should read "Do parents of children with celiac disease really have to worry that their children's retainers contain gluten?" by Amy Jones, MS, RD and Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, at the Gluten Free Dietitian.

     

    They conclude that the one case mentioned in this presentation gives insufficient data to draw definite conclusions or cause concerns for wearers of dental appliances.

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    Guest Brian

    Please do be more specific - if you know what types. I'm an adult but wear a retainer (only once a week). I've been gluten-free for 8 months and still do not feel good. Wondering if it is the retainer. My retainer does not look like the picture above but is more of a mouthpiece that a fighter might wear - clear plastic

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    Guest Lisa

    Excellent article my son just got a retainer and I knew about the possible contamination from the product I informed my sons orthodontist I made sure from the lab that there was not any product in my sons material . I work in a GI office in buffalo

    NY and I feel I know more about the possibilities of cross contamination then the general public I wish people were more educated about this.

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    Guest MJ Billmann

    Guest MJ Billmann

    Posted

    I am in the dental field and heavily involved in research in materials in the dental field.

    It is my strong opinion, that the retainer has nothing to do with the celiac symptoms. Even if at one point of time, there was gluten in the resin (but there was not), it would be bound in the resin and there is no way that 20ppm (the upper limit of gluten in a substance to be safe) would go through the stomach and ever reach the small intestine. It is my strong opinion that the retainer was not the source of the problem. Something else was the problem and whatever it was, happened to coincide with the retainer. Anecdotal reports like these cause unnecessary fear.

    I can not post a link but I suggest to search the glutenfreedietician site and this topic is discussed there also.

    It's negative close-minded thinking like this that keep celiac disease cloaked in 'mystery'. Someday all pediatricians will test all children for gluten issues BEFORE they prescribe pharmaceuticals that merely mask symptoms.

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    Guest MJ Billmann

    Guest MJ Billmann

    Posted

    I didn't know plastics could contain gluten. Does anyone know if plastic water bottles and food containers contain gluten? Such as: #1, 2, 4 and 5? I have to drink bottled spring water, that is in plastic gallon jugs.

    Don't forget envelopes and many forms of glue.

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    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University, and has authored more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously served as SF Health News Examiner for Examiner.com, and devised health and medical content for Sharecare.com. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of the book "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

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