A blogger from the States reported "Had my teeth cleaned for the first time since going gluten free, they were 95% less sensitive. Get your inflammation looked after."
Reading this got me thinking and ultimately researching.
New Study Finds That Patients with Gluten Sensitivity Have Tooth Enamel Issues!
"…antibodies against gliadin generated in patients with CD (celiac disease) can react in vitro with a major enamel protein. The involvement of anti-gliadin serum in the pathogenesis of enamel defects in children with untreated CD can be hypothesized on the basis of these novel results."
Research Source:
In this research study, it was
confirmed that gluten causes the body to produce an immune reaction
against one of the main proteins responsible for producing enamel on the
teeth. Lack of enamel leads to a variety of oral health problems
including excessive cavities, excessive tooth ware and tear, and eventually the
premature destruction or loss of teeth. It is no mystery that gluten proteins
can negatively impact the health of the oral cavity. Even dentists are starting to take an
active role in recognizing this problem.
Oral Diseases Linked to Gluten
There are many disease conditions and
symptoms of the mouth that have been tied to gluten sensitivity.
- Canker sores
- Geographic tongue (gluten induced damage on the tongue – makes the tongue look similar to a topographical map)
- Tonsilar stones or exudates (appears as white lumps of puss embedded in the tonsils)
- Pharyngeal Erythema (chronic severe redness in the back of the throat)
- Excessive mucus production (leads to chronic throat clearing)
- Bad breath
- Cystic Frenula (a small cyst can form on the flap of skin connecting your top lip to your gums)
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Inflammatory gum disease
Food Effects What it Comes in to Contact With
The mouth, tongue, teeth and soft
tissues in the intestinal tract are no exception. Good or bad, food can impact
the overall condition of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and
large intestine. Chemically speaking, food can impact the pH (acid/base)
balance and alter the quantity of good and bad bacteria. These bacteria are
essential for helping us regulate our immune system, digest our food, and
produce vitamins like Biotin and vitamin K.
Why is this important? The improper pH has been linked to gum disease and tooth decay as well. Additionally, a pH that is too acidic has been shown to contribute to cancer, heart disease, bone loss, diabetes, and many more chronic degenerative conditions. Vitamin K is essential for bone density, immune regulation, and blood clotting. Biotin is essential for the proper growth of hair and skin as well as essential in the proper metabolic breakdown of fat.
Abnormal food reactions can cause inflammatory damage. To the contrary, healthy food can provide necessary nutrients directly to the gastrointestinal tract. 40% of nutrients for the gut come directly from food, not from the blood supply. Bottom line: don’t ignore the power that food has over your oral and gastrointestinal health.
