Celiac Disease and Tooth Damage… Who Knew?

I recently read an article in the Globe and Mail, entitled Tooth damage may indicate celiac disease. Intrigued by the title, I decided to have a read as I had never in the past heard of of this strange association and came as a complete surprise. Most dentists and physicians are completely unaware of this linkage.
I have learned that 70% to 80% of celiac patients have tooth damage. In fact, for many celiacs, their only symptoms and signs are recurring canker sores, discolored enamel , irregular shaped teeth, deep enamel “fissures”(cracks). Frequent canker sores and tooth abnormalities are virtually diagnostic of celiac disease.
The Globe article suggests that the disease can be successfully treated with a gluten free diet. One of the key messages for me as your dentist is EARLY DIAGNOSIS, especially for your children as the enamel abnormalities have a good chance of being prevented and the teeth developing normally.
For adults, unfortunately the damage is done. These defects can be “masked “by repairing the abnormalities with bonding, veneers and crowns.
On a personal level, I treated one of my dental assistants some years ago. She had the same exact signs and symptoms as I described above. Her tooth discolourations and abnormal enamel were treated here with bonding, veneers and crowns and she was very happy with her new smile. She did go reluctantly to her doctor for the ongoing stomach aches which was originally diagnosed as Lactose Intolerance. The pain continued and ultimately she was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. She was treated medically which helped tremendously, however I am unsure of the details as she now resides in the U.S.A.
This article has been “an eye opener” for me. It reminds me that the dental profession is constantly evolving. It is crucial for me to continue educating myself in order to treat my patients with the highest standard of care I am capable of delivering.

Here is a link to the article for you all to enjoy:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/conditions/tooth-damage-may-be-a-sign-of-celiac-disease-dental-professionals-told/article12346685/

The Truth About Tap Water

In our practice, we have found that many of our mothers are giving their children bottled water to drink ,and cooking with BOTTLED water. When asked why, there answer is “TAP WATER is fluoridated and fluoride is TOXIC.
Fluoride in tap water has a “bad rap”. It is my job to try and improve my patient’s understanding by educating them about the positive properties of fluoride.
The absolute truth is tap water is SAFE! It contains miniscule amounts of fluoride that cannot harm you or your children, except those who are allergic to it. Fluoride is etraordinarilly effective in eliminating cavities in children.
First let’s discuss what fluoride actually is. Derived from fluorine, fluoride exists naturally. Fluoride is easily absorbed into enamel, especially in children’s teeth. Fluoride has the absolute ability to prevent too decay by blocking bacterial acids from dissolving into the tooth. While fluroide cannot repair cavities entirely, it can reverse low levels of decay, and prevent new decay.
To illustrate the significant benefits of fluoride in tap water, I will give you a comparison of my eldest daughter Alysse with my eldest grandchild Emma. To show you all that this is an equal comparison, I will add that rarely do Alysse or Emma consume any candy (we’re a salty over sweet family), and both of them brush their teeth twice daily, at the mimimum. By age 18, Alysse had already had 14-15 fillings never having had the protection of fluoridated water in her formative years. Emma at age 18, had only ONE filling (she grew up with fluoridation).
My profession has always been in the forefront to achieve fluoridation as a public benefit. For 30 years we have almost eliminated the need for ourselves! What other profession can say that? Instead of having cavities drilled and filled, and wasting countless dollars on bottled water, take my simple advice – DRINK AND COOK WITH TAP WATER!
The rewards to you and your children far outweigh the risks.

My Grandson Harry and his “front tooth”

Harry has always been an aggressive athlete and always one to take chances. He loves basketball and plays about 10-12 hours a week..very competetively! Well, one game while playing  (and with-out wearing his mouth guard) Harry took an elbow to his mouth. The force was so strong and direct that it knocked out his front tooth completely. The tooth was absolutely evulsed out of the socket without damage to it or the socket!

Fortunately, Harry had braces! As a result of this, the tooth never left his mouth and turned 180 degrees around while remaining attached to the wire of the brace. All I had to do was cut the wire, reposition the tooth back in the socket exactly where it was. The tooth remained sterile because it never left his mouth. Two weeks later, we arranged for the tooth to have root canal therapy.

Harry should be lucky and have use of this tooth for anywhere from 10 to 30 more years (we hope!) The message to take from this – WEAR A MOUTHGUARD!

Hello everyone…

I’m excited to be sharing my thoughts with you…. so here goes!

I am married to the most wonderful woman in the world who taught me years ago how to live my life balanced and fulfilled. I view my life as if I’m inside an equilateral triangle. The base this triangle is my family, my community and my religion. One side of the triangle is my dental profession, and the other side includes my avocations such as skiing, playing the trumpet in Big Band, going to the gym and being at the cottage. It is important for me to maintain a balance in this triangle, by ensuring that each side remains the same length. If one side is too long, another will be too short, thereby making the triangle collapse. My family, friends and patients know that this is important to me, striving to sustain and support the delicate balance of my life and everyone in it.

My blog will be primarily dedicated to my life, and the involvement of dentistry in it. I will write of trumpet playing, jazz music, big bands, making jam, skiing and anything else that comes to mind or that you might be interested in hearing about! Please feel free to give comments or suggestions.

I hope you all enjoy, happy reading!