Tooth Enamel Question

[chocolatelover]

I have a question for you about teeth. I am going to have my kids tested for celiac since they also have a number of symptoms, one of which is severe discoloration of their teeth. My daughter's teeth are a very dark, dull, yellow/brown, almost grey (she's 13), and my son (10) has the same brown staining that my daughter does, though his actual color isn't nearly as bad as hers.

We move around a fair amount (different states in different parts of the country, so we know it's not the water) and every dentist we've ever been to has asked what could be causing the brown stains. They don't drink coffee, tea, soda or anything like that, and they eat very nutritiously--very little junk food, few sweets, etc. The orthodontist recently commented that my son's hygeine is very good, but he still has that staining. It usually goes away for a short time after they've had their teeth cleaned, but then it comes right back.

Could this be related to gluten? I know that tooth enamel problems are common with celiac, but I don't know what the descriptions are....

[cyberprof]

I have a question for you about teeth. I am going to have my kids tested for celiac since they also have a number of symptoms, one of which is severe discoloration of their teeth. My daughter's teeth are a very dark, dull, yellow/brown, almost grey (she's 13), and my son (10) has the same brown staining that my daughter does, though his actual color isn't nearly as bad as hers.

We move around a fair amount (different states in different parts of the country, so we know it's not the water) and every dentist we've ever been to has asked what could be causing the brown stains. They don't drink coffee, tea, soda or anything like that, and they eat very nutritiously--very little junk food, few sweets, etc. The orthodontist recently commented that my son's hygeine is very good, but he still has that staining. It usually goes away for a short time after they've had their teeth cleaned, but then it comes right back.

Could this be related to gluten? I know that tooth enamel problems are common with celiac, but I don't know what the descriptions are....

Yes, I have the same question.

I was just diagnosed last Monday and I have my 13 year old son signed up for a blood test ASAP. His teeth are stained but I don't know what the "tooth discoloration" description means.

Anyone?

[Guest cassidy]

I haven't heard anything about those types of problems, but that really doesn't mean anything.

My teeth came in without enamel in places and I had to have them sealed. My molars also came in with holes in them that had to be filled - almost like they were missing a side. Also, my teeth seem to be fairly soft - my bottom two front teeth got dents in the middle of the front of them for no reason and I had to get fillings. I've never had cavities or any other issues, just random holes or crumbling areas

[chrissy]

celiac can cause dental enamel defects----but it sounds like it is something else that is going on with your kids teeth----especially since they can be cleaned, but then the discoloration returns.

[flowergirl]

I am not the person to answer your question but I have had the yellow / brown discolouration on my teeth since childhood. It is not something I ate (well maybe gluten). The colour comes from deep within and the dentist said that polishing won't work. I also have a few white specks on my teeth that seem to come and go with time. I don't understand it but I've learned to live with it. Now I just make sure I don't wear lipstick with any brown in because it highlights the colour and it looks awful. Strange enough, I spend years at the dentist as a child and I have perfectly neat teeth but they are all yellow/brown. I hope someone else knows...

[CarlaB]

If the brownish color comes off when the teeth are cleaned, it sounds like it's something they are consuming causing the discoloration. If it was a more permanent discoloration that couldn't be removed with cleaning, I would suspect the celiac.

For those adults with permanent discoloration, have you tried bleaching your teeth? Dentists can do it in one hour at their office.

White spots can be caused by swallowing too much flouride (water, toothpaste).

[mommida]

I don't think the bleaching is a very good idea. I was starting to get the discoloration from tea. I tried the bleaching and the pain I ended up in is extreme to say the least. I had microscopic holes in the enamel and the bleaching took away the little enamel protection and let's just say you don't want air hitting exposed teeth nerves.

Get a good cleaning and get the sealants.

I believe the discoloration can be from Celiac - malformed enamel leading to staining through the microscopic holes or grooves of no enamel.

L.