Celiac disease's relationship with the oral health

Abstract

Celiac Disease is a permanent intolerance to proteins contained in the gluten of some cereals, such as wheat, rye, barley and oat The disease appears mainly during the first two years of life, the small bowel being the main affected organ, with clinical manifestations such as diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss. The diagnosis, however, is often difficult, due to the large number of atypical manifestations of the disease. In such cases, numerous and diversified symptoms, such as low stature, anemia, osteoporosis, and dental enamel hypoplasia, may be concurrent with symptoms of immune diseases associated to the celiac disease (diabetes mellitus, dermatitis herpetiformis, thyroid diseases, allergy, and recurrent aphtous stomatitis, among others). With such vast array of symptoms, patients will seek health professionals, who, however, might have trouble relating the symptoms to the celiac disease. If this illness is not treated properly, chances are that several other health complications will show up. The objective of this communication is to demonstrate that oral manifestations are important contributors to the diagnosis of the celiac disease.