Braces and Crohn's Disease

When an individual receives braces, there may be some discomfort and aphthous stomatitis. Although this may seem like something most do not experience, this problem is more commonly called a canker sore. Although the sore may seem more annoying than anything else, there are links between patients with cankers and a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. These small lesions may change the microbiota of the mouth, leading to a change of the gut microbiota. Because it is believed that Crohn’s disease is related to a change in the gut microbiota, it is possible that the oral lesions and Crohn’s disease are related, but now it might be true that braces also have an effect.

The microbiota, or the microbes living in and on a person, is an important contribution to the health of a person. The mouth, like every other part of the body, is overloaded with microorganisms, including viruses, protozoa, archaea, and bacteria. There are about 1000 different species of bacteria in the mouth. The most commonly seen species of bacteria phyla found in the mouth Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Synergistetes, and Tenericutes. The oral flora is important to maintain, and periodontitis, imflammation of the gums, is one specific disease of the mouth that is due to a contribution of a change in the microbiota. In order to maintain a healthy oral microbiota, brushing teeth with toothpaste and flossing are recommended. The mouth is known to be the cause for many diseases, especially heart disease due to the easy access to the bloodstream (Wade). The microbiota is made up of many types of bacteria that work together to maintain proper health when the patient has good oral hygiene habits.

Braces are a form of dental treatmen...

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...e a patient has braces, and these bacteria could cause mouth lesions, or canker sores, which could eventually affect the gut microbiota. It is best understood that Crohn’s disease is caused by several factors, including a change in the microbiome. Hopefully, if a link can be found between patients with braces and Crohn’s disease, orthodontists in the future can help develop improved ways of maintaining health while a patient has braces.

Works Cited

American Association of Orthodontists. (2012). Why Orthodontic Treatment?

Baumgart, D., & Sandborn, W. (2012). Crohn’s disease. The Lancet, 380, 1590-1605.

Lauritano, D., & Caccianiga, G. (2013). Periodontal aspects in orthodontics. OA Dentistry, 1-7.

Wade, W. (2013). The oral microbiome in health and disease. Elsevier Pharmacological

Research, 69, 137-143.