Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be caused by an autoimmune reaction in your body when the immune system mistakes the bacteria in the digestive tract, causing your body to attack healthy cells. As a result, there are many gastrointestinal symptoms. What many people don’t know is the connection between Crohn’s disease and dental health. Continue reading to learn from your dentist in Peabody about the different oral symptoms you could be experiencing if you have Crohn’s and what you can do to prevent them.
What Oral Health Issues Can Be Caused by Crohn’s Disease?
Several dental health problems can be caused or worsened by either Crohn’s disease or the medications that are taken to manage it. Here are some of them:
- Xerostomia: This is when the salivary glands in the oral cavity do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. This increases the risk of cavities, tooth decay, and halitosis (bad breath).
- Oral granulomatosis: This is defined as the swelling of the orofacial area, usually the lips.
- Aphthous ulcers: These are painful canker sores found in the oral cavity.
- Erythema: Erythema is when gingival tissue appears irritated with general redness.
- Gingivitis: The earliest stage of periodontal disease that can progress to periodontitis when left untreated.
- Mucosal tags: These skin tag-like growths can appear in the mouth because of Crohn’s disease.
How Can You Keep Your Smile Healthy with Crohn’s Disease?
In order to prevent future oral health issues, it is critical that patients with Crohn’s disease visit a dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups. Having an excellent oral hygiene routine is also extremely important. This means brushing twice and flossing at least once every single day to prevent issues like tooth decay and periodontal disease. Using mouthwash is another great step that should be implemented.
If you have Crohn’s disease, you should definitely let your dentist know. You should also keep your gastroenterologist in the loop. This is because certain dental procedures may require either antibiotics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Sometimes, these drugs can cause problems like flare-ups for people who are dealing with IBD.
The good news is that you don’t need to let your Crohn’s disease get in the way of maintaining excellent dental health. By visiting your doctor and dentist as well as maintaining great oral hygiene, your smile will thank you!
About the Author
With the help of his staff, Dr. Spiro Saati has been serving his patients in Peabody for his entire career. He is currently an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the American Academy of Periodontology, the Northeast Society of Periodontology, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and the Academy of Osseointegration. If you have Crohn’s disease, and even if you don’t, dental cleanings and exams should be a regular part of your efforts to protect your oral health. You can make an appointment with Dr. Saati on his website or by calling (978) 531-2185.