Dentist called dental diseases the cause of gastrointestinal problems

Diseases of the teeth and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) can be interrelated, therefore, treatment of only one problem does not always give a stable result. Maxim Labukhin, a dentist and medical director of the MIA.RF network of dental clinics, told Izvestia about this on July 22.

According to the expert, the digestive process begins with chewing food, during which teeth grind food, and saliva triggers the primary breakdown of carbohydrates. If there is an incorrect bite, missing teeth, caries or gum inflammation, food may enter the stomach insufficiently ground.

"If this first stage is disrupted, the entire digestive tract system suffers. Often the cause of diseases of the digestive tract is malocclusion, caries or inflamed gums," said Labukhin.

In addition, bacteria from the foci of infection in the oral cavity, along with saliva and food, can enter the digestive tract, reduce local mucosal protection and maintain chronic inflammation.

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The connection also works in the opposite direction. With gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and other conditions accompanied by increased acidity, gastric juice can enter the esophagus and oral cavity. The acid softens and thinns the enamel, increases tooth sensitivity and promotes the appearance of erosion.

As Labukhin noted, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, the composition of saliva can also change, which makes it more viscous and performs a protective function worse. Impaired absorption of calcium and fluoride can lead to increased fragility and tooth wear.

Treatment of diseases of the stomach and oral cavity must be carried out comprehensively. In this case, the gastroenterologist treats the gastrointestinal tract, and the dentist eliminates the sources of infection, removes tartar, treats caries and gum inflammation.

According to the expert, in case of tooth loss, the restoration of chewing function with the help of prostheses or implants helps to improve the grinding of food. Special remineralizing agents may be recommended for patients with heartburn to protect the enamel from acid erosion.

For prevention, Labukhin advised chewing food thoroughly, not washing it down with sugary drinks and not abusing acidic foods and soda on an empty stomach. If your teeth are sensitive, you should avoid eating too hot, cold, sour, and salty foods.

It is also important to drink enough water, as dry mouth reduces the protective properties of saliva. The specialist recommended not postponing a visit to the dentist or gastroenterologist if pain, heartburn, bleeding gums, hypersensitivity of teeth and other symptoms occur.

German Dyak, a dentist-therapist and orthopedist at the Atribyut clinic, said on June 29 that stress can negatively affect dental health. According to him, nervous overexertion often causes bruxism — involuntary clenching of the jaws or gnashing of teeth. This leads to enamel abrasion, microcracks and increased sensitivity of teeth, as well as increases the load on veneers, implants, crowns and fillings.