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Tooth Decay And Celiac?

MNB

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MNB Newbie
MNB
Posted

SO.. I had this major revelation last night.

6 months ago I went in for a dental check up and to my surprise came away needing 8 procedures (root canals, cavities ect.) was puzzled because although I was overdue for a cleaning (1yr) I wondered how my teeth could have gotten so bad in such a short amount of time.

After continuing to feeling sick for several months I had blood work done at my Rheumatologist - a Vitamin D deficientcy came up. Normal was something like 42-85 and I registered a 20. I just started taking a stronger multi-vitamin but still didn't feel right. I have been diagnosed w/ Lupus so usually when I feel bad I just assume it's the lupus.

I am now awaiting an enterolab kit to test for the gluten intolerance. I've only been gluten free for over 1 week now, but already notice improvement in my stomach and digestive problems. I'm now starting to wonder if the intolerance to gluten could have triggered the Vitamin D deficiency, which could have caused the unexplained excessive tooth decay. :unsure:

Anyone else have anything similar happen?

I also have a bone density scheduled which should tell me more (hopefully)

Michelle-

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DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

My teeth are KILLING me! I have a cleaning every six months without fail and they are incredibly painful now - I was able to use nitrous oxide (wonderful stuff) at my dentist's in Monterey, but no one uses it here so I actually have to get valium for my cleanings. My teeth hurt all the time - the molars - and some appear to have enamel worn off. They are SO sensitive adn in fact I just had three cavities, hadn't had one in seven years.

Is this from a vitamin D deficiciency? My dentist didn't know anything about a connection between Celiac and dental issues, and I haven't had time to research.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted

It can happen. I have had a very high rate of decay for years...and I floss, brush every day. My dentist believes it was b/c of my Celiac. I have been gluten-free since Feb '05 and this last appt I had a few months ago my dentist said my teeth and gums have never looked better. She believes both have improved in response to the diet.

DingoGirl Enthusiast
DingoGirl
Posted

Jen that is good news....my gums are really receding in the back and maybe that will stop? I hope so....I don't know what to do about those couple of molars that are so sensitive I can't even touch them - can you get some sort of fake enamel coating put on? I am really tired of the increasing pain and having to let everything come to room temp or I will scream!

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I don't have a lot of decay--only one filling--but I do have a problem with teeth cracking and breaking. One of my front teeth is bonded because of this. I've had a wisdom tooth pulled due to breaking, and another tooth that has a broken corner. Celiac can definately cause vitamin/mineral deficiency because we don't absorb properly while eating gluten.

corinne Apprentice
corinne
Posted

Just before I started a gluten-free diet in January, I got 6 cavities. I have my teeth checked and cleaned every 6 months and I had never had a cavity before so it must be something to do with malabsorption. My next check-up is on Monday and I hope that there will be good news ie no more new cavities.

jenvan Collaborator
jenvan
Posted
Jen that is good news....my gums are really receding in the back and maybe that will stop? I hope so....I don't know what to do about those couple of molars that are so sensitive I can't even touch them - can you get some sort of fake enamel coating put on? I am really tired of the increasing pain and having to let everything come to room temp or I will scream!

Wow--I'm sorry to hear that! I hate sensitive teeth!! My gums tend to be sensitive--but that has improved. Which I would say could be from 1. the receeding improving (likely in response to the diet) or 2. switching to a tom's of maine no flouride toothpaste, vs a crest etc. Someone here I believe, mentioned the toothpaste switch reducing their pain. (Make sure you aren't using some heavy-duty or whitening type toothpaste--that can make it worse). Have you talked to your dentist about your issue? The only things I know of are general desensitizing agents and bonding. I believe your dentist can apply agents or you can just try ones on your own. I also just pasted a good summary of the options...depending on what your issue is.

Desensitizing toothpaste. Available over the counter, this toothpaste may help block sensations from traveling to the nerve. However, it does take several uses to notice the effects.

Fluoride gel. Applied in the dentist’s office, fluoride gel or another, more powerful, desensitizing agent, may work better than the toothpastes to fill in the cracks of your teeth and dull the pain.

Filling, crown or bonding. Depending on the source of the sensitivity, one of the following agents may help to fill in cracks in your tooth.

Gum graft. If you have gum disease, a surgical gum graft can cover exposed roots and reduce sensitivity.

Root canal. This procedure works by removing part of the affected nerve of a tooth, removing the ability for it to feel any pain.

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MNB Newbie
MNB
Posted
  • Author
My teeth are crummy... and I brush and floss morning and night everyday....have a bunch of fillings and 7 root canals so far... :angry: I hope my teeth get better too.... (and I hate dentists :P )

Great to hear I'm not alone out there with the tooth thing - I'm looking forward to my teeth improving too! ;)

Thanks,

Michelle

floridanative Community Regular
floridanative
Posted

I never miss a cleaning and last year right after I was dx'd with anemia, I was told by the dentist I needed a root canal. So I had that and then another cleaning last month now shows two more cavities...I hope this will be the end of my teeth problems since I've been gluten free for 5 months now and everything else has improved to the point that I never felt better (except for shoulder injury I'm working on).

Now does anyone know if novacaine is gluten free? Or lanicane? That is whay they said they have to give me to get the fillings.

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    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      @Jane02, I hear you about the kale and collard greens.  I don't do dairy and must eat green leafies, too, to get sufficient calcium.  I must be very careful because some calcium supplements are made from ground up crustacean shells.  When I was deficient in Vitamin D, I took high doses of Vitamin D to correct the deficiency quickly.  This is safe and nontoxic.  Vitamin D level should be above 70 nmol/L.  Lifeguards and indigenous Pacific Islanders typically have levels between 80-100 nmol/L.   Levels lower than this are based on amount needed to prevent disease like rickets and osteomalacia. We need more thiamine when we're physically ill, emotionally and mentally stressed, and if we exercise like an athlete or laborer.  We need more thiamine if we eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates.  For every 500 kcal of carbohydrates, we need 500-1000 mg more of thiamine to process the carbs into energy.  If there's insufficient thiamine the carbs get stored as fat.  Again, recommended levels set for thiamine are based on minimum amounts needed to prevent disease.  This is often not adequate for optimum health, nor sufficient for people with absorption problems such as Celiac disease.  Gluten free processed foods are not enriched with vitamins like their gluten containing counterparts.  Adding a B Complex and additional thiamine improves health for Celiacs.  Thiamine is safe and nontoxic even in high doses.  Thiamine helps the mitochondria in cells to function.  Thiamine interacts with each of the other B vitamins.  They are all water soluble and easily excreted if not needed. Interesting Reading: Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ Safety and effectiveness of vitamin D mega-dose: A systematic review https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34857184/ High dose dietary vitamin D allocates surplus calories to muscle and growth instead of fat via modulation of myostatin and leptin signaling https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38766160/ Safety of High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31746327/ Vitamins and Celiac Disease: Beyond Vitamin D https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857425/ Investigating the therapeutic potential of tryptophan and vitamin A in modulating immune responses in celiac disease: an experimental study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40178602/ Investigating the Impact of Vitamin A and Amino Acids on Immune Responses in Celiac Disease Patients https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10814138/
    • Jane02
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Thank you so much @knitty kitty for this insightful information! I would have never considered fractionated coconut oil to be a potential source of GI upset. I will consider all the info you shared. Very interesting about the Thiamine deficiency.  I've tracked daily averages of my intake in a nutrition software. The only nutrient I can't consistently meet from my diet is vitamin D. Calcium is a hit and miss as I rely on vegetables, dark leafy greens as a major source, for my calcium intake. I'm able to meet it when I either eat or juice a bundle of kale or collard greens daily haha. My thiamine intake is roughly 120% of my needs, although I do recognize that I may not be absorbing all of these nutrients consistently with intermittent unintentional exposures to gluten.  My vitamin A intake is roughly 900% (~6400 mcg/d) of my needs as I eat a lot of sweet potato, although since it's plant-derived vitamin A (beta-carotene) apparently it's not likely to cause toxicity.  Thanks again! 
    • knitty kitty
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Hello, @Jane02,  I take Naturewise D 3.  It contains olive oil.   Some Vitamin D supplements, like D Drops, are made with fractionated coconut oil which can cause digestive upsets.  Fractionated coconut oil is not the same as coconut oil used for cooking.  Fractionated coconut oil has been treated for longer shelf life, so it won't go bad in the jar, and thus may be irritating to the digestive system. I avoid supplements made with soy because many people with Celiac Disease also react to soy.  Mixed tocopherols, an ingredient in Thornes Vitamin D, may be sourced from soy oil.  Kirkland's has soy on its ingredient list. I avoid things that might contain or be exposed to crustaceans, like Metagenics says on its label.  I have a crustacean/shellfish/fish allergy.  I like Life Extension Bioactive Complete B Complex.  I take additional Thiamine B 1 in the form Benfotiamine which helps the intestines heal, Life Extension MegaBenfotiamine. Thiamine is needed to activate Vitamin D.   Low thiamine can make one feel like they are getting glutened after a meal containing lots of simple carbohydrates like white rice, or processed gluten free foods like cookies and pasta.   It's rare to have a single vitamin deficiency.  The water soluble B Complex vitamins should be supplemented together with additional Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) to correct subclinical deficiencies that don't show up on blood tests.  These are subclinical deficiencies within organs and tissues.  Blood is a transportation system.  The body will deplete tissues and organs in order to keep a supply of thiamine in the bloodstream going to the brain and heart.   If you're low in Vitamin D, you may well be low in other fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A and Vitamin K. Have you seen a dietician?
    • Scott Adams
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I do not know this, but since they are labelled gluten-free, and are not really a product that could easily be contaminated when making them (there would be not flour in the air of such a facility, for example), I don't really see contamination as something to be concerned about for this type of product. 
    • trents
      Desperately need a vitamin D supplement. I've reacted to most brands I've tried.

      By trents · Posted

      Contact them.
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