Dental Implants and Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease affects many people in Dubai on an annual basis.  One of the most frequently asked questions by our patients when treating Crohn’s Disease  is ‘Why does Crohn’s Disease affect the mouth?’, explains a dentist in Dubai.

Crohn’s Disease was first described in 1932 and it is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract (also called GI tract). It can affect anywhere along the GI tract from the mouth to the esophagus, to the ileum, to the small intestine and large intestine to the anus. Together with colitis, it affects many people, globally. Ulcerative Colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that only affects the colon or large intestine.

Since the immune system attacks anywhere along the GI tract, it begins with the mouth. The mouth can develop painful lesions called canker sores. They are also called apthous ulcers and can form on the gums, inside the lips. These painful sores prevent individuals from eating properly, leading to malnourishment, which leads the way for Crohn’s Disease to spread. Poor eating habits will affect the immune system, which aggravates Crohn’s Disease.

Individuals with  Crohn’s Disease have frequent diarrhea, as a result of the cells in the intestine which  produce excessive cells and fluid. Diarrhea causes the body’s water supply to deplete, leading to  dehydration and a dry mouth. Dry mouth leads to cavities which can develop rather quickly.  It only takes a few minutes for cavities to start forming after eating or drinking. Patient’s with Crohn’s Disease may develop as many as 80 cavities and involve every tooth in their mouth.

Here is the process of how Crohn’s Disease affects the mouth,

  • Crohn’s Disease causes inflammation in the GI tract
  • The inflamed intestinal lining produces excessive water, which causes frequent diarrhea
  • Diarrhea causes dehydration and leads to dry mouth
  • Dry mouth causes acid to attack the teeth, gums and bone
  • Acid attacks on the teeth leads to cavities
  • Cavities start developing rather rapidly
  • Cavities lead to tooth discoloration, broken teeth, painful teeth and infected teeth
  • Cavities can cause dental problems that make eating and digestion difficult
  • Indigestion can lead to malnutrition and the circle continues

If you are suffering from this condition or know a loved one or family member what has Crohn’s Disease and they are suffering in their mouth, the team at the Medical Clinics in Dubai can help. For Individuals’ who have developed cavities, cracked teeth, painful teeth, infection in the bone, gums or have missing teeth,  dental implants in Dubai can replace damaged, painful and missing teeth, improve chewing and improve digestion.Dental implants can dramatically improve the life of a individual suffering from Crohn’s Disease. Dental implants are not affected by Crohn’s Disease and cannot develop cavities making it the best solution for one or more missing teeth.

Despite having Crohn’s Disease or colitis it is important to make sure you have a healthy mouth and practice a regular oral care routine.