Oral findings in children with celiac disease

Aim: To investigate whether Turkish children with celiac disease (CD) show dental enamel defects (DEDs), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), teeth missing, and xerostomia, and to compare the results with age- and sex-matched healthy children. Materials and methods: The oral cavity was explored in 81 patients with CD (mean age 8.7 ± 3.7 years; age range 2.5 to 17 years) and in 20 healthy controls. Enamel defects, teeth missing, RAS, and xerostomia were established. Results: Forty-three (53.1%) celiac patients and 5 (25%) control subjects had enamel defects. Enamel defects occurred more frequently in patients (P = 0.025) compared to controls. Regarding RAS, 39 (48.1%) patients and 1 (5%) control had aphthous ulcers (P = 0.0001). Teeth missing and xerostomia were detected in 11 (13.6%) and 47 (58%) patients, respectively. Patients with xerostomia were significantly greater in number compared to healthy children (P = 0.008). In the present study, the prevalence of DEDs, RAS, and xerostomia was greater in celiac patients than in healthy controls. Conclusion: Early recognition of children with specific DEDs, RAS, and xerostomia and thus their referral to pediatricians might help in early diagnosis of CD.