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Hello. Thanks to everyone who responsed to my query asking whether there
was any connection between being celiac and having gum disease and related
bone loss.

Everyone who responded suggested there was a connection, on the basis that
they were celiac and had the same trouble with gum disease and/or bone
loss. Since this wasn't a scientific study I'd be hesitant to conclude that
there is a definite link (after all, I don't know how many people on my
other lists have gum disease, for example), but I did get enough
information to convince me this requires a visit to the doctor as well as
the periodontist.

In my case, periodontal x-rays show bone loss beneath my gums. The usual
periodontal explanation is that poor dental hygiene leads to infection
which leads to bone loss, but I'm wondering whether with celiacs things are
reversed. By that I mean that if there's a connection between being celiac
and losing bone mass (which seems to be well-established), maybe celiacs
lose bone first, and then get infection in the areas where bone used to be.
I'm going to follow this up with both my doctor and periodonist, before I
spend a fortune on dental surgery.

Here's an overview of what the respondents said:
- periodontist confirmed link between celiac/gum disease, respondent wasn't
sure about bone loss

- gum disease problems throughout adult life, even though good dental
hygiene (this person hasn't been biopsied, but thinks she is celiac), two
major gum surgeries

- gum problems since adolescence, many root canals & partial bridges but
lost all teeth by the age of 60 - brother lost teeth at 50, mother by age
42 - problems with bone loss in all cases

- losing several teeth because of bone loss at age 56

- report of always having sensitive teeth and bleeding gums, a new dentist
told this person she has gum disease, requires cleaning every 3 months,
prescription rinse (and it's getting expensive)

- yes, there's a link, even worse if you're a diabetic

- Under the Gum, herbal & homeopathic rinse for water-pik is recommended

- several root canals that were unexpected, also report of sprue on gums,
remedied by sucking zinc lozenges (I'm not sure what was meant here by
sprue)

- bleeding gums are a sympton of scurvey, which is caused by vitamin
malabsorption, some untreated celiacs may have these symptoms

- 6 weeks after being GF, dentist told person how much better her gums
were, commented on link between nutrition and dental health

- much less plaque buildup now that grains have been eliminated from diet