Worsening oral health with celiac

[Jodi Lee K]

Hi. I was wondering if many people have had oral health issues pop up after going gluten free from celiac disease? 
 

I just graduated in December and am now a RDH. But I’ve had celiac going 3 years and when I have the best home care I’ve ever had, now my oral health is plummeting. Minimal calculus…but new decay, plaque, and overall inflammation. 

[trents]

Welcome to the forum, @Jodi Lee K!

You say you have had celiac for three years. By that, do you mean you were diagnosed with celiac disease three years ago? Have you been practicing gluten free eating that entire three year time?

[Jodi Lee K]

Sorry about that! Yes, my diagnosis was 2 years and some change- going on 3 years ago! Yes I have been gluten free the entire time! 

[trents]

Do you have any sense of how long before your diagnosis the onset of your celiac disease may have been? For most of us, there are years that pass between the onset and finally getting a diagnosis and by that time damage has already been done to body systems. May we ask your age?

Also, have you had any follow-up testing since diagnosis to check for celiac antibody levels or healing of the villi?

Edited April 15, 2025 by trents

[Jodi Lee K]

I’ve had GI issues since I was a baby! They never did any testing and always said diet issues and constipation. Things got a lot worse when I hit 25, eventually got a diagnosis and I am currently 29.

Yes, just recently saw my GI doctor in January and things looked pretty good. Very slightly elevated IgA but IgG was good. My ionized calcium is elevated too. I also have hashimotos but my TSH was good. 

[trents]

Is that TTG-IGA that is slightly elevated? That could indicate you are still getting some gluten in your diet. That should be within normal range I would think if you were truly gluten free. As a dental professional have you looked into the issue of gluten in the products they use in your profession? There are threads on this forum and also articles I think dealing with that issue.

Have you had a follow-up endoscopy to check for healing of the small bowel villi?

Also, are you taking any magnesium supplements for bone and dental health? Very important. It works together with calcium.

 

 

[Jodi Lee K]

It doesn’t specify if it’s TTG I’m not sure how to tell for that. That would be so sad. We never eat out I try to be so strict. Yes many dental products have gluten! I only use ones that don’t on myself. 
 

No follow up procedure has been done for healing. That is something I will ask about. Thank you for the suggestion. 
 

I don’t take any Magnesium. What would be a good supplement? 

[trents]

The form of the magnesium is important. Go for one that has high absorbability. Most of us opt for magnesium glycinate. Mag citrate is also good. Don't settle for the oxide forms. They aren't absorbed well and tend to have a laxative effect 'cause they just draw water into the colon a' la Milk of Magnesia. Costco is a good place to shop for things like that.

Also, good bone and dental health involves vitamin D. Are you taking a dedicated D3 supplement? Have you had your D levels checked? In many ways, vitamin D is turning out to be a master vitamin of human metabolism and celiacs are often low on this one.

What was the numerical score on your IGA along with the reference range? I can probably tell you whether it was TTG-IGA by the magnitude of the score. The only other likely option besides TTG-IGA would be Total IGA which usually has scores that range in the hundreds. 

I do think it important for you to get a follow-up endoscopy/biopsy to check for healing of the villi. If that isn't happening like it should, you still are not absorbing nutrients well and that could easily explain your dental issues.

Edited April 15, 2025 by trents