Celiac getting dentures

[AnnK73]

I am getting dentures Thursday. I just turned 50. I had absorption issues from Celiac and my teeth started coming out. Also osteoporosis.

I cannot find denture adhesive marked gluten-free. I have reached out to companies and all I get is "cross contamination is possible" or they aren't sure what could be in the flavoring added. I cannot be the only Celiac who has needed dentures. Does anyone have advice or a product they use safely? I am super sensitive to gluten and get sick from a tiny amount. 

Thank you!!! :)

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, AnnK73!

You have done your research and have come to that dead end where we usually wind up when contacting companies with the question of "Is this product gluten free?" Namely, they cannot rule out CC. This might be one of those things where you just have to experiment with different denture adhesive products until you find one that doesn't make you ill. And it could be the first one you try. I wish I could offer you more guidance.

[Scott Adams]

This one claims to be gluten-free:

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-NaturDent-Dentures-Petrochemical-Additives/dp/B07HDMWKVK 

[AnnK73]

On 10/16/2023 at 12:20 PM, Scott Adams said:

This one claims to be gluten-free:

https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-NaturDent-Dentures-Petrochemical-Additives/dp/B07HDMWKVK 

Thank you very much. I will try this and hope for the best. 

[AnnK73]

On 10/16/2023 at 11:23 AM, trents said:

Welcome to the forum, AnnK73!

You have done your research and have come to that dead end where we usually wind up when contacting companies with the question of "Is this product gluten free?" Namely, they cannot rule out CC. This might be one of those things where you just have to experiment with different denture adhesive products until you find one that doesn't make you ill. And it could be the first one you try. I wish I could offer you more guidance.

Thank you so much. 

I'm so careful all of the time so this is out of my control and makes me nervous. I get so sick from the tiniest amount. I did just email one if the main brands.

Thanks again. 

[NanCel]

On 10/16/2023 at 12:08 PM, AnnK73 said:

I am getting dentures Thursday.

Hi AnnK73!

A few weeks ago I got dentures.  After two weeks of not feeling well and no other changes I had the worst attack of what seemed to be a gluten ingestion.  I couldn't think of anything different other than the dentures.  I had already investigated the denture cream and decided to look up what dentures were made of.  Seems to be that they are an acrylic base using methyl methacrylate which uses gluten.  Sure enough I was extremely surprised and asked the dental chain I use if they used the methyl methacrylate.  They confirmed using the material.  I had sores from the dentures and perhaps absorbed the material causing a reaction.  I have since stopped wearing them and am looking into other material used for dentures.  I have never heard of this before and the lab tech at the dental clinic has only had one person before have a reaction to dentures.  I posted in another area here on this forum and Scott had sent a link to where a 9 year old had gluten exposure after wearing dental retainers.  It sure seems likely that it could be plausible especially since I am so sensitive to gluten.  I wish you luck in your journey.  I would like to add that I do find this site extremely helpful and thank all for posting.

Nan

[AnnK73]

19 hours ago, NanCel said:

Hi AnnK73!

A few weeks ago I got dentures.  After two weeks of not feeling well and no other changes I had the worst attack of what seemed to be a gluten ingestion.  I couldn't think of anything different other than the dentures.  I had already investigated the denture cream and decided to look up what dentures were made of.  Seems to be that they are an acrylic base using methyl methacrylate which uses gluten.  Sure enough I was extremely surprised and asked the dental chain I use if they used the methyl methacrylate.  They confirmed using the material.  I had sores from the dentures and perhaps absorbed the material causing a reaction.  I have since stopped wearing them and am looking into other material used for dentures.  I have never heard of this before and the lab tech at the dental clinic has only had one person before have a reaction to dentures.  I posted in another area here on this forum and Scott had sent a link to where a 9 year old had gluten exposure after wearing dental retainers.  It sure seems likely that it could be plausible especially since I am so sensitive to gluten.  I wish you luck in your journey.  I would like to add that I do find this site extremely helpful and thank all for posting.

Nan

Oh My gosh I never thought of that! I don't know what to do now.  My dentist already thinks I'm nuts for making a big deal about the adhesive which I am not using at this time. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!

[NanCel]

1 hour ago, AnnK73 said:

Oh My gosh I never thought of that! 

Ann--I do make a big deal of things because the gluten is so damaging and I am very sensitive.  I also had a lot of bleeding after extractions.  My blood work was fine but I'm thinking it might be a lack of vitamin K--necessary for blood clotting.  I know I haven't absorbed nutrients and am severely osteoporotic but I will now be cautious.  I have to have further surgery to correct the poor bone healing.  I also take reclast.  I too--advocate for myself because I find even the medical staff is not aware of how damaging celiac disease is.

Best of luck to you!

[AnnK73]

I SOO agree with you about the medical world not being knowledgeable about Celiac Disease. I too have severe osteoporosis and am supposed to start daily injections which is why I pulled the rest of the teeth now. I don't think I am healing well either and I am seeing the dentist again. Ugh this is pretty awful. Thank you for sharing your information with me about the bone healing. I will watch out for that. 

[RPM5]

On 10/29/2023 at 4:59 PM, NanCel said:

Hi AnnK73!

A few weeks ago I got dentures.  After two weeks of not feeling well and no other changes I had the worst attack of what seemed to be a gluten ingestion.  I couldn't think of anything different other than the dentures.  I had already investigated the denture cream and decided to look up what dentures were made of.  Seems to be that they are an acrylic base using methyl methacrylate which uses gluten.  Sure enough I was extremely surprised and asked the dental chain I use if they used the methyl methacrylate.  They confirmed using the material.  I had sores from the dentures and perhaps absorbed the material causing a reaction.  I have since stopped wearing them and am looking into other material used for dentures.  I have never heard of this before and the lab tech at the dental clinic has only had one person before have a reaction to dentures.  I posted in another area here on this forum and Scott had sent a link to where a 9 year old had gluten exposure after wearing dental retainers.  It sure seems likely that it could be plausible especially since I am so sensitive to gluten.  I wish you luck in your journey.  I would like to add that I do find this site extremely helpful and thank all for posting.

Nan

Hey NanCel,

Were you able to find dentures that aren't problematic? Unfortunately I may be in need of them soon and I'm a very sensitive celiac who is also dealing with other medical issues so I'm extra nervous about this. If you found a brand or any information, let me know!

[AnnK73]

My dentist is looking into this with the lab he uses. I have so far been ok with coating the plate with seabond but I'm only a month into denture wearing. I wish there were more options for both healthier and easier to wear dentures. 

[NanCel]

On 11/21/2023 at 10:38 AM, RPM5 said:

Hey NanCel,

Were you able to find dentures that aren't problematic? 

Hello!  Yes there are other products but expensive.  Nylon was an option mentioned to me and I am still searching for more information.  I will keep you posted.  I feel we need to educate the dental community.  I can't believe this large chain never treated celiac patients before and it should not be up to the consumer to know what is in the products.  Please be careful, ask for in writing and seek out alternatives.  I feel it is negligent for a practice to give a patient gluten when they clearly informed the staff.  Be your own best advocate and best of luck to you.

Nancy

[RPM5]

On 11/23/2023 at 5:42 AM, NanCel said:

Hello!  Yes there are other products but expensive.  Nylon was an option mentioned to me and I am still searching for more information.  I will keep you posted.  I feel we need to educate the dental community.  I can't believe this large chain never treated celiac patients before and it should not be up to the consumer to know what is in the products.  Please be careful, ask for in writing and seek out alternatives.  I feel it is negligent for a practice to give a patient gluten when they clearly informed the staff.  Be your own best advocate and best of luck to you.

Nancy

Hmm interesting, I thought nylon was only used for partial dentures like Valplast, I haven't heard of it being used for full dentures. I've been researching this a bunch though and it seems like there's some companies where their acrylic resin/MMA/PMMA/etc is gluten free so I'm guessing it's like anything else where some companies are safe and some aren't depending on their manufacturing process. This is crazy to me though because I'm sure there's a LOT of Celiacs with dentures, given how the disease can wreck havoc in your mouth.

If anyone reading this post has had dentures with no problems, let us know, it'd be helpful to make a list of companies that are safe or something like that. I might have to get dentures soon and this is stressful to say the least lol, I can't afford (literally) to have the issue you did or have to go without teeth for a while or any of that. I wish you luck with everything though and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

[NanCel]

On 12/1/2023 at 3:11 PM, RPM5 said:

If anyone reading this post has had dentures with no problems, let us know, 

Yes, it would be great information to have and to share with others.  Thank you for your time.

Nancy

[AnnK73]

On 12/1/2023 at 2:11 PM, RPM5 said:

Hmm interesting, I thought nylon was only used for partial dentures like Valplast, I haven't heard of it being used for full dentures. I've been researching this a bunch though and it seems like there's some companies where their acrylic resin/MMA/PMMA/etc is gluten free so I'm guessing it's like anything else where some companies are safe and some aren't depending on their manufacturing process. This is crazy to me though because I'm sure there's a LOT of Celiacs with dentures, given how the disease can wreck havoc in your mouth.

If anyone reading this post has had dentures with no problems, let us know, it'd be helpful to make a list of companies that are safe or something like that. I might have to get dentures soon and this is stressful to say the least lol, I can't afford (literally) to have the issue you did or have to go without teeth for a while or any of that. I wish you luck with everything though and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

I am 2 months into the denture journey. I wear them up to 8 hours and have to take them out. My gums get irritated and sore. I feel slightly ill every day. I am using Sea Bond papers as adhesive. Nothing else was working. My dentist never replied about his lab using the gluten type of acrylic. I hate that I now have to ask a 3rd time. Why do we have to pester people about these things? Thank you for all of this information. I am keeping it to ask the labs in my area. 

[Jeff Platt]

I am a dentist and also a very sensitive celiac to cross contamination. In my community the materials testing sections of companies are just barely beginning to scratch the surface of material contamination and gluten is really not even on most companies radar screen to evaluate. There are many materials that can produce a sensitivity/allergic reaction in the mouth and having testing available to see if there are materials which may produce a variety of allergic responses is spotty at best and is developing into a science but is not there yet to be 100% successful at being specific for sensitivities. I have to ask the same questions of the manufacturers as you are asking and even I don’t get good answers all the time with acrylics for dentures and orthodontic retainer materials. 
i would start by asking your dentist for “Hypo-allergenic” brands that their lab has available and then do some due diligence with the manufacturer. When you have an acrylic which you feel comfortable with ask the lab for a small sample so you can place it next to your lip and teeth and hold it in your mouth for a while every day and see if you begin to have symptoms in the area or not before you decide on a denture material to use for your dentures or retainer. Unfortunately this is the only way that I have as a dentist to be sure for now which materials to choose for my allergy patients. 
 

I also want to say something to everyone who has osteoporosis and bone loss in their mouth or long bones in their body. The drugs that are classified as “Bisphosphonate” are still having problems with actually causing the opposite reaction in the mouth, they can cause a problem called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). The most common culprit is when someone takes the bisphosphonate medication either as an IV or as an infected form, the tablet for. Is less likely to cause ONJ but it can still cause the problem. Research is still out on whether this classification of drugs is helpful or not because in some patients it causes the long bones to be brittle rather than stronger and more resistive to osteoporosis and weakening of the bones. The medication has an extremely long half life in the body in excess of 10 years. Please consult your dentist before starting any of the bisphosphonate medications, and if you have a choice the tablet form is better in my opinion. 

[NanCel]

Thank you for your response and information.  I do feel the long term effects of biphosphates are not fully known and for a celiac this is unfortunate.  Hopefully with more awareness there will be more information for the future.  I appreciate everyone's post.  

[Janine Barta]

Hi I know I am late to this conversation but I am having issues just like you. I am a 53 yr old Female. I got my dentures the last week of November and I have been sick for the past 3 weeks. I have been tested for all illnesses and everything has come back negative. The only thing I can pinpoint the cause if this is the MMA in the acrylic used to make dentures. I was diagnosed with Celiac in  Sept. 2021, I don't think I have been glutened, as I was a silent Celiac, and never had any symptoms before I was diagnosed, so I am not sure what all the symptoms are when Glutened. I have talked to my dentist and my primary doctor and they are somewhat dismissing my thoughts of the MMA. I live in Dallas, Tx and I am trying to find a GI doctor that specializes in celiac disease, but having a hard time. I am having to go on Short term disability as I am so sick I can't work. Any suggestions ar recommendations are appreciated greatly... 

Thanks

[knitty kitty]

@Janine Barta, 

Welcome to the forum!

Dental anesthesia can precipitate a deficiency in Cobalamine B12.  Nitrogen compounds in anesthesia bind irrevocably with Cobalamine making it useless.  Symptoms of B12 deficiency can appear several weeks after the dental procedure.  

Have you been checked for nutritional deficiencies since your Celiac diagnosis?  Many newly diagnosed have subclinical vitamin and mineral deficiencies.  Are you taking any nutritional supplements?

[NanCel]

Hi Janine!  It is difficult to discern the gluten culprit.  I found a stainless steel pad for washing dishes was also a culprit.  I did remove my dentures that seemed to be causing problems.   I did find that when the dentist shaves down the denture it releases dust which could leach the MMA.  Clean and dry them frequently.  You can also get a blood test to see if the antibiodies have lessened.  The dental chain I dealt with could care less what I was experiencing but it is just starting to get attention.  Join any type of celiac group you can--there are many resources.  Best of luck to you.

[Scott Adams]

On 2/16/2024 at 1:23 PM, Janine Barta said:

Hi I know I am late to this conversation but I am having issues just like you. I am a 53 yr old Female. I got my dentures the last week of November and I have been sick for the past 3 weeks. I have been tested for all illnesses and everything has come back negative. The only thing I can pinpoint the cause if this is the MMA in the acrylic used to make dentures. I was diagnosed with Celiac in  Sept. 2021, I don't think I have been glutened, as I was a silent Celiac, and never had any symptoms before I was diagnosed, so I am not sure what all the symptoms are when Glutened. I have talked to my dentist and my primary doctor and they are somewhat dismissing my thoughts of the MMA. I live in Dallas, Tx and I am trying to find a GI doctor that specializes in celiac disease, but having a hard time. I am having to go on Short term disability as I am so sick I can't work. Any suggestions ar recommendations are appreciated greatly... 

Thanks

I think the best way to determine whether or not you've been ingesting gluten would be to get a new celiac disease blood panel done that includes tTg antibodies. If your levels are elevated, then closely examine your diet to see if there might first be other ways gluten might be getting into your diet, for example, do you eat in restaurants?

[AnnK73]

17 hours ago, Scott Adams said:

I think the best way to determine whether or not you've been ingesting gluten would be to get a new celiac disease blood panel done that includes tTg antibodies. If your levels are elevated, then closely examine you diet to see if there might first be other ways gluten might be getting into your diet, for example, do you eat in restaurants?

Hello, update on original post...

My dentist confirmed the acrylic he uses contains gluten, his wife is newly diagnosed with Celiac so he is being proactive for me and more understanding than previous years. He is calling to labs in IL to find out if they can order the material without gluten in it and finding out the cost which will likely be more than the usual acrylic they use.  I'm getting a relining done and in a year or so a new plate. This acrylic is also used to make plastic reusable plates, cups and silverware so something to keep in mind.  Target sells plastic plates and cups actually made with wheat. Apparently better for the environment but not great for Celiacs and those with wheat allergies. I will keep you posted on the new acrylic. Many people need dental appliances made for different reasons, retainers, flippers, etc and you have to request this acrylic without the gluten component. 

[NanCel]

20 hours ago, AnnK73 said:

 

My dentist confirmed----  This is great news.  I was trying to give reports and studies to the dental chain to inform them that they are a first line health care worker that can see some celiac damage in the mouth.  I gave studies to the chain to inform them and spread awareness of celiac disease yet I was met with a lot of resistance and was informed that I should have told them I was allergic to Methyl methacrylate.  I tried to no avail to explain that celiac disease is a reaction to ingested wheat, rye, barely, farro, .... yet the chain refuses to acknowledge my documented condition.  Thank your dentist for me for being open minded and assisting with celiac.  I so appreciate everyone's help.  Best to all!

[Wheatwacked]

Vitamin D deficiency is the missing link between your dental problems, osteoporosis and Celiac Disease.  Before we all got inside jobs (industrial revolution) and then started sun block for fear of skin cancer the normal vitamin D blood level in summer was around 80 ng/ml.  Now 42% of us have less than 30 ng/ml year round, resulting in compromised immune system.

Undeclared Gluten in the products used to repair teeth is a real problem.

[AnnK73]

On 2/19/2024 at 9:01 AM, Wheatwacked said:

Vitamin D deficiency is the missing link between your dental problems, osteoporosis and Celiac Disease.  Before we all got inside jobs (industrial revolution) and then started sun block for fear of skin cancer the normal vitamin D blood level in summer was around 80 ng/ml.  Now 42% of us have less than 30 ng/ml year round, resulting in compromised immune system.

Undeclared Gluten in the products used to repair teeth is a real problem.

I agree. I'm fair skinned and I also have Lupus so I have avoided the sun for 30 years because UV light triggers flares. I have always taken Vit D but it doesn't absorb well. I'm open to ideas. Some say a liquid form of any vitamin is better. I have not seen that for Vit D.