Crohn's and Dental Health

Today, I went to a periodontist (gum dentist) who said my gums were inflamed and it wasn't due to gingivitis. In the back of my mind I knew Crohn’s might have something to do with it as it can cause gums to be inflamed along with intestines.  This special dentist said that I needed to get a deep cleaning of my gums and they would have to do a biopsy of the gum to see what the cause was. It is odd though because my bottom gums are healthy pink just my top gums are causing trouble. I was a little nervous when the dentist said I might have to go on a steroid. This seems interesting because from what I understand drugs like medicine can cause bones to be weaker. Also I am weighing around 156 (with clothes off) these days and really don’t want to add any more weight when I use to be 140-150 lbs.

I did some research and found a forum were people discussing this similar issue.  In doing more research I found that Crohn’s patients perceive their oral health to be worse than people who don’t have Crohn’s.

This study from 1989 showed that Crohn’s patients have a higher risk and need more preventive care. Although these studies link certain things I would be more curious to find out why gums can become inflamed. My own theory is that autoimmune diseases have to deal with the good bacteria attacking the body which is what causes the inflammation which could be happening in the mouth. Although, the mouth and stomach are far apart I am reminded that the definition of Crohn’s is pain from anus to mouth which includes the gums.