Gluten Sensitivity and Oral Manifestation

The relationship between oral health and overall health is symbiotic – what affects one entity has an impact on the other. In recent years, the nature of the oral-systemic connection has become more and more pronounced as studies show the link oral conditions such as periodontal disease and tooth abscesses can have on the health of the rest of the body.

Additionally, these studies have opened the door for better understanding of how certain health conditions have oral health implications. In particular, celiac disease, or gluten sensitivity has a range of oral symptoms. As a result, many health professionals are now recognizing the benefit of inter-disciplinary diagnoses as allowing patients to pursue effective care more rapidly.

The Oral Implications of Celiac Disease

Popularly known as gluten sensitivity, celiac disease occurs when a patient is intolerant to the gluten protein which is found in wheat, rye, and barley. This can prevent the body from properly absorbing important nutrients, including iron, calcium, folate, and fat-soluble vitamins. The condition can lead to a number of other health implications, including gastric reflux, ulcers, bloating, chronic constipation and diarrhea, cramping, as well as anemia.

Patients with celiac disease may also experience oral symptoms. In addition to causing canker sores, celiac disease also lead to geographic tongue (where gluten-induced damage causes the tongue to look like a topographical map), tonsil stones, redness at the back of the throat, excess mucus production, bad breath, and cysts on the flap of skin connecting the top lip to the gums. Most uniquely, celiac disease can also cause tooth enamel defects, leading to an increased risk of cavities and decay.

Oral Manifestations and Rapid Diagnosis

While this condition is one of the most common chronic GI disorders worldwide, diagnosis can be difficult as the symptoms are often confused as other conditions. As a result, identifying celiac disease is often delayed, causing patients to go for extended periods of time without realizing what is causing their discomfort or to be misdiagnosed, leading to mistreatment and the potential exacerbation of the symptoms.

As dentists see patients at least twice a year, many are able to notice the oral symptoms of a gluten sensitivity and recommend a visit to their general physician for a confirmed diagnosis. This opens the door for more rapid diagnosis, potentially leading to patients receiving the right care before the symptoms of celiac disease wreak havoc on the patient’s overall health.

Oral and Overall Health

At the Sunnyvale dental practice of Dr. Ratna Indah, our personalized dental treatments are created to reinforce each patient’s oral and overall wellness. By monitoring your smile for signs and symptoms of extenuating health conditions, our dentist is able to provide patients with comprehensive solutions and lifelong oral health. For more information about achieving long-term wellness through oral care, contact our Sunnyvale dentist today.

The Importance of Mercury-Free Fillings

Thanks to modern dental technology, many procedures are being redesigned in order to provide a better patient experience and lasting results. This includes changing what materials are being used in conventional dental treatments in order to create plans that improve the wellbeing of the entire body.  As a result of this new approach to dentistry, more and more dentists are phasing out amalgam or metal-based restorations in favor of more biocompatible composite fillings or porcelain crowns.

Why are Amalgam Restorations Being Phased Out?

While critics will argue that this shift from metal to composite is merely a fad, recent studies have indicated that in the long run, metal restoration may have a negative impact on a patient’s overall health. Much of this is due to the question of how safe dental mercury is. While critics of the mercury free movement point out that mercury has been used for over 150 years, proponents of the anti-amalgam movement highlight the following points:

• Amalgam fillings are composed of 50% mercury
• Metal fillings constantly release mercury as the filling wears, causing the metal to be absorbed by the body.
• In large quantities, mercury can cause a number of secondary health consequences, affecting the nervous, immune, urinary, cardiac, respiratory, and digestive systems.

What is a Safe Alternative for Amalgam Fillings?

In lieu of placing amalgam fillings, many individuals are being presented with non-metal alternatives, such as composite fillings. Unlike amalgam, these fillings are made of tooth colored ceramic and plastic compounds. As a result, patients receive a natural looking restoration that does not run the risk of compromising their oral or overall health.

For patients that have already had amalgam fillings placed, safe amalgam removal is available. At the Sunnyvale dental office of Dr. Ratna Indah, specialized equipment is used to safely remove amalgam fillings while preventing patient or practitioner exposure to the mercury. By maintaining strict compliance with the safe amalgam removal guidelines put forth by the IAOMT, the Sunnyvale dentist is able to help patients obtain a healthy smile and total body wellbeing.

Do You Have Questions About Amalgam Fillings? Contact Us Today!

Dr. Indah and her Sunnyvale dental team are pleased to offer a number of amalgam free alternatives to help patients restore their smile in a safe and healthful manner. For more information about our amalgam free services including safe amalgam removal, contact our Sunnyvale dentist today.