More than half a million people in the UK live with Crohn’s or Colitis and every day even more people are being diagnosed. Crohn’s or Colitis are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease which cause inflammation in your gut and painful sores, these are lifelong conditions but with treatment you can feel a lot better and get back to some sort of normality.

As they are autoimmune diseases, unfortunately this makes you more susceptible to other medical conditions, including gum disease. Which means having good dental hygiene is as important as ever when you have Crohn’s or Colitis.

Even if you don’t have these conditions, you should watch for signs of gum disease like bleeding when brushing your teeth or eating hard foods and your gums becoming swollen or sore. If you have any of these symptoms, book an appointment with one of our dentists so we can examine you further.

What can I do to help my teeth and gums?

A good oral hygiene routine is recommended for everyone but especially if you are predisposed to gum disease. This includes brushing twice a day for two minutes each time, right before you go to sleep and another time in the day, usually in the morning. A fluoride toothpaste should always be used, however some kinds of toothpaste may not be suitable if you have Crohn’s or Colitis. You should also be cleaning in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss. You can also use a water flosser, a device that shoots water between your teeth and clears debris, this device is better for those who have limited dexterity.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) is the foaming agent that makes our toothpaste froth, it can also irritate our mouth so you may want to choose a toothpaste without this ingredient. If you are unsure, speak to one of our hygienists or dentists and they can recommend a toothpaste for you. A toothpaste with higher fluoride content can help prevent tooth decay which may be more suitable for you.

With Crohn’s and Colitis you will receive a lot of medication to make you feel better and reduce the affect of your symptoms. However, some of these medications can cause dry mouth so a toothpaste higher in fluoride would be best suited for you in this situation. Your mouth will be sore and there are over the counter products that a pharmacist can give you to help.

Mouth ulcers are quite common when you have Crohn’s and Colitis, they usually heal themselves but if they don’t heal within 3 weeks, book an appointment with one of our dentists to take a further look.

Regular dental appointments will maintain your oral hygiene and allow us to check for any symptoms of gum disease and treat them before they get worse. We can also give you advice on your cleaning routine at home to reduce and manage your risk of gum disease. Our dental plans are specifically designed so that you have regular appointments with us and access to emergency appointments when needed, you can conveniently pay for these on a monthly basis and can choose a plan level best suited for you.

Hear about the benefits from one of our patients

We spoke to one of our patients, Rebekah, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009, about her experience as a plan patient and how she benefits from regular appointments.

“I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009 and joined Ewan Bramley Dental Care in May 2021. I have always had a good routine with my oral hygiene and had been attending annual checkups at an NHS dentist as I knew I had a higher risk of gum disease due to my diagnosis.

I drove past Ewan Bramley Dental Care as I live nearby and saw their poster about monthly dental plans. I decided to join as my condition had recently flared up again and my symptoms had been severe, so I just wanted to make sure my overall health was being treated. Plus, the monthly dental plans come with a free teeth whitening kit which was a bonus!

As part of the plan I see my hygienist regularly where I get my teeth thoroughly cleaned removing any plaque that builds up. Beth is amazing, she is so friendly and has given me advice on how to stay on top of my oral hygiene at home so that I reduce the risk of getting gum disease. I also have an annual health check with one of the dentists to make sure my teeth and gums are healthy.

If you have a medical condition which makes you susceptible to gum disease, I highly recommend joining one of their dental plans. It gives me peace of mind knowing my teeth and gums are healthy and that I have access to same day emergency appointments when I need them.”

If you would like more information on our monthly dental plans, please visit our website https://www.unionquaydental.co.uk/monthly-dental-plans/ or contact our reception team on 0191 259 6506.