GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS AND ORAL HEALTH: SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS, ORAL MANIFESTATIONS, AND DENTAL MANAGEMENT. A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Mircea Beuran, Dorin Ioan Cocoș, Sergiu Ciprian Focsaneanu, Kamel Earar

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2026.3.18.6

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disorders may affect oral health through inflammatory, immune-mediated, microbial, metabolic, nutritional, and treatment-related mechanisms. This narrative review examines the relationship between gastrointestinal disease and oral manifestations, with particular emphasis on clinically relevant implications for dental and oral surgical management. Inflammatory bowel disease may be associated with recurrent aphthous lesions, mucosal changes, periodontal involvement, and apical periodontitis, whereas gastroesophageal reflux disease is primarily linked to dental erosion. Celiac disease may present with enamel defects, aphthous stomatitis, and other manifestations related to malabsorption, while chronic liver disease may influence periodontal health, mucosal integrity, bleeding risk, and postoperative healing. Bariatric surgery and liver transplantation introduce additional considerations related to nutritional deficiencies, reflux, immune status, and infection susceptibility. Emerging evidence also supports a role for oral-gut microbial interactions involving Helicobacter pylori, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and periodontal pathogens. Recognition of these associations may facilitate earlier identification of systemic disease and improve treatment planning. Individualized dental care and interdisciplinary collaboration are particularly important when invasive procedures are considered in patients with gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary disorders.