CeliacChicks

Celiac Disease: Dental Enamel Defects And Canker Sores

Evidently canker sores and enamel defects can be indications of celiac disease. I think I'm going to print this out and give it to my dentist.

Read the article:
The Association Between Celiac Disease and Dental Enamel Defects, Aphthous Ulcers in a United States Cohort

I found out that an aphthous ulcer is the same as a canker sore. It is interesting that even wikipedia mentions a possible link between celiac disease and canker sores. 

I used to have canker sores all the time when I was a kid. Remember that brown bottle of stuff that you'd dab on the sore with a cotton swab and it would hurt like heck and then coat it? Ouch!

Celiac Disease - The Mystery Disease That Affects Millions

The symptoms can range from what may seem like insignificant ailments such as headaches, diarrhea, reflux, lactose intolerance, and abdominal pain and bloating to more significant signs of malabsorption, which can manifest itself as weight loss, anemia, assorted autoimmune disorders, depression and malignancies.

The elusive culprit behind these varied discomforts is celiac disease and international studies show that 1 out of 100 people have it. This means that nearly 3 million Americans are affected and sadly only 3% have been diagnosed. Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that is triggered by the ingestion of gluten- the protein found naturally in wheat, rye, and barley. Even trace amount of gluten can flatten the villi in the intestines which will then lead to a variety of symptoms and if prolonged serious health complications that may include other autoimmune diseases.

THE SYMPTOMS
Below is a tiered checklist of symptoms of celiac disease from the comprehensive book Celiac Disease –A Hidden Epidemic. (Peter H.R. Green, MD and Rory Jones 2006: Back cover)