Original Paper

Oral Findings and Salivary Parameters in Children with Celiac Disease: A Preliminary Study
Sibel Acar^a, Arzu Aykut Yetkıner^a, Nazan Ersın^a, Ozant Oncag^a, Sema Aydogdu^b, Cigdem Arıkan^b

Departments of
^aPediatric Dentistry and
^bPediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

Med Princ Pract 2012;21:129-133 (DOI: 10.1159/000331794)

  Key Words

• Celiac disease
• Dental defects
• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis
• Mutans streptococci
• Lactobacilli
• Caries
• Saliva

  Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental enamel defects, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and caries experience and to measure salivary flow rate, buffer capacity, saliva and plaque pH and salivary cariogenic microflora in patients with celiac disease (CD) compared to healthy subjects. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-five patients, aged 6-19 years, with a diagnosis of CD and 35 healthy children of the same age participated in the study. Enamel defects were diagnosed and classified using Aine's classification. The patients with RAS and dental caries were recorded using WHO criteria. The parents were interviewed about various oral health-related factors. Saliva samples were collected to measure the stimulated salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and pH values of saliva and plaque. Salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were counted. Results: The enamel defects and RAS prevalence were statistically higher (40 and 37.1%, respectively) in the CD group, and the prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci (48 and 14%) and lactobacilli (51 and 34%) colonization was statistically lower (p = 0.012, p = 0.010) in the CD group; the DMFS and dfs values were similar in both groups. Conclusion: CD appeared to be associated with a significantly higher prevalence of developing enamel defects and RAS, but a lower prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli colonization, and the diagnosis of these oral manifestations might be helpful for an early diagnosis of CD.

Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Sibel Acar
Department of Pediatric Dentistry
School of Dentistry, Ege University
TR-35100 Izmir (Turkey)
Tel. +90 232 388 6431, E-Mail sibel_kibele@hotmail.com

  Article Information

Received: November 6, 2010
Accepted: June 28, 2011
Published online: October 21, 2011
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 30