Teething problems

[greyton]

I was diagnosed late in life and since being on a gluten-free diet problems with my teeth have increased dramatically. When first on the diet I took Calcium for about a year. I wondered if there is any benefit in taking calcium on a continuous basis and if this would help, or maybe the damage has been done.

[subo]

hi I was diagnosed at the age of 45 and was also diagnosed with osteopenia of the hip it might be advisable to ask for a bone scan because when got coeliac disease before diagnosis your body does not absorb calcium hope this helps

[Hidden]

I'm fifty and I take adcal-D3 every day....I have a scale and polish every three months...my gums are much better, and I'm trying to keep the teeth I have...i went for a bone scan on Monday and the woman told me that as long as I eat a good diet and kept active, that I would be able to undo anything that had happened when my calcium had been low....because it had been caught in time...you will need to have some bloods taken so they can get you calcium, d3 levels and take it from there....I have my bloods took every three months to keep an eye on the levels...you can even buy adcal- d3 over the counter.....

Good luck

Janie x

[barny]

hiya janie i was diagnosed at the age of 65 and had been taking calcuim for 10yrs any way still do but i dont have prob with teeth but i used to before and my skin has been a lot better no rough hands since being gf good luck x

[deltauk in reply to barny]

Hi can you please share with us which Calcium you are taking.

Thank you

[MaryDB]

Diagnosed at 70 - have osteoporosis and only 15 teeth left! No-one could understand why I had so much trouble with them but I assume it was the coeliac!

[greyton]

Thanks all. Think I will go back on the calcium. Greyton

[Tiggykanga]

I have been having trouble with my gums since the early 90's. I was not diagnosed with Coeliac's until Xmas 2012. I have been going to the dentist for 3 monthly treatments and my gums are heaps better particularly since I started a GF diet. I asked both my dentist and the hygienist if there was a link between coeliac's and gum health and was told there wasn't. So I am confused! I have also been put on to lifelong Calcium/D3 tablet (Calcichew).

[AJLJinTX]

Celiac interferes with absorption of nutrients, so it can impact absorption of calcium until you heal, which can take a while. It also impacts absorption of Vitamin D which aids calcium absorption. I second the recommendation to get a blood level of Vitamin D (Janie recommended). I'm a dietitian and see so many people without celiac who have low Vitamin D levels. You will probably need a supplement tailored to your needs (and monitor blood tests). Some folks get an upset stomach from large doses, especially soon after celiac diagnosis. Taking Vit. D with a large meal is best for getting the best absorption of Vitamin D. Sunlight is another source for Vit. D, but more difficult to obtain depending on where you live. Calcium Citrate is easier to absorb; if you take calcium carbonate, take with food (needs gastric acid to absorb well). My dentist and hygienist admit that they were instructed on celiac, and that is true for several areas of healthcare, including mine. We are all catching up.

[Tiggykanga in reply to AJLJinTX]

I surfed the WWW when I was told my Vit D levels were low and was interested to read that (1) in general in the UK we do not have enough sunny days to provide us with the levels we need and anyway we are all advised to cover up - I am very fair skinned and burn in minutes (2) but some of the deficit is obtained in the food we eat (3) however vegetarians/vegans (as I am) will in all likelihood have low levels anyway as Vit D is mainly found in a meat eating diet so the likelihood is that I was deficient for most of my life and gut damage pre diagnosis may have exacerbated it

[poing]

Bones and teeth contain a lot of other minerals, not just calcium. I think magnesium is particularly important too. I have read that you need calcium and magnesium in the ratio 2:1, so if you supplement one, you likely need the other too. You might want to check that out.