Significance of Oral Symptoms in Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Celiac Disease

Objective: To examine the frequency of oral symptoms in celiac disease and to underline their importance. Material and Methods: In the present study, we compared the prevalence of enamel defects, caries, recurrent oral aphthous stomatites, and risk factors of dental caries [levels of salivary mutans streprococci (MS) and Lactobacilli (LB)] between patients diagnosed with celiac disease, and healthy controls. A total of 82 patients with celiac disease and 110 healthy subjects were studied. Results: Dental enamel defects were found in 33 (40.2%) of the 82 celiac patients and 8 (7.2%) out of 110 control subjects. Enamel defects were significantly more common in celiac patients (p=0.000). All of the 33 celiac patients with enamel defect had specific dental enamel defects. Statistical analysis showed significantly more specific enamel defects in celiac patients than in control subjects (p=0.000). Regarding recurrent oral aphthous stomatitis (RAS), neither the celiac patients nor the healthy subjects had aphthous ulcers. Healthy individuals had significantly more caries lesions than celiac patients did (p=0.000). Conclusion: Early diagnosis and consequent gluten-free diet may prevent or reduce oral lesions. Dentists play an important role in recognizing patients with celiac disease by means of oral findings.