Manifestações bucais em pacientes com intolerância à lactose

Abstract

Lactose is a disaccharide hydrolyzed by lactase that releases the monosaccharide components to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The deficiency in the absorption of the enzyme lactase elevates the intestinal transit leading to a series of gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and flatulence, thus configuring lactose intolerance. Its treatment consists of changing eating habits, excluding the consumption of diary foods or using lactase supplements. One of the main consequences of this disorder is calcium deficit, a factor directly linked to bones and teeth, since it is responsible for the composition of the matrix of these structures, in addition to regulating biological functions. The present study aims to evaluate, through a literature review, the main oral manifestations of patients with lactose intolerance. The sciELO, Pubmed and Lilacs databases were used, using the following descriptors in Portuguese "Lactose Intolerance", "Oral Health" and "Lactase" and in English "Lactase", "Lactose Intolerance" and "Oral Health". Articles from 2008 up to that point were included. It is concluded that patients with lactose intolerance may present oral alterations such as dental caries, hypoplasia, foot-and-mouth disease, in which the appearance of these pathologies may be associated with supplementation, in order to replace lactose, the basis of other foods.