Celiac And Orthodontics

[boothfamily]

Our 14 year old, diagnosed with Celiac in April 2007 (also Type 1 Diabetes since 15 mos.) has recently had stomach distress, and according to gastro blood work results today, she is somehow getting gluten. We are a gluten-free household (3 of 4 have Celiac) and are very, very careful. Neither younger sister or mom, both of whom have Celiac, display any symptoms from eating the exact same foods. We're sure she is not sneaking food at school, and we're looking at every angle.

She's had braces for two years, and we are wondering if perhaps the latex rubber bands she uses may be dusted with something containing gluten. Here is what's in them:

Latex 95-97%

Sulfur 0-1%

Zinc oxide 0-1%

Polymetric hindered phenol 0-2%

Carbarnate derivative 0-1%

Has anyone heard of such a thing? We've been told to ask her dentist and orthodontist to use unpowdered gloves, because THAT powder may contain gluten, but no one has mentioned the latex bands.

[ravenwoodglass]

It is a possiblity and it would not be on the label. I would call the folks that make the bands and not trust the anyone else to check. Also she is getting frequent adjustments right? I know my kids did but things may have changed. I would accompany her to her next visit if I could and take a look at any lotions they may have by the sink. I watched a dental assistant wash her hands, slather on a gluteny lotion and then grab her gloves with those lotion covered hands before she put them on. So much for sterilie methods of putting gloves on. May not be the case but something to check. One thing you may want to suggest to your DD is to throughly rinse off those bands before she puts them in her in mouth.

[blueeyedmanda]

I just got my braces off in the spring, and I had used the rubber bands with no problems. Could she have a latex allergy?

[sneezydiva]

Even though the other 2 in your family have no symptoms, is their bloodwork okay? Maybe there is something all of you are consuming, and it is just affecting her more.

Also, it might not be something she is eating. Ask if she shares make-up with her friends. I know I did at that age. Either the make-up itself could have gluten, or if she shares a lip gloss with someone who ate some, she could get it that way.

[boothfamily]

Even though the other 2 in your family have no symptoms, is their bloodwork okay? Maybe there is something all of you are consuming, and it is just affecting her more.

Also, it might not be something she is eating. Ask if she shares make-up with her friends. I know I did at that age. Either the make-up itself could have gluten, or if she shares a lip gloss with someone who ate some, she could get it that way.

Thanks for the input...I've been wrestling with the same questions, looking at everything...my wife and younger daughter have had good bloodwork within the past three months. My youngest was just diagnosed this August, and my wife had a follow up screening done in October.

We discovered that Tums Tropical Fruit Smoothies flavor contains gluten, and my daughter has been using those over the past few weeks. We're hoping that helps, but continuing the detective work just in case.

Thanks again!

[blueeyedmanda]

Glad to hear you may have found the culprit.