Cerebral Palsy and Oral Health

Abstract

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a disease characterized by posture, motor and movement disorders, which are caused by non-progressive but permanent damage of the fetal or infant brain in the early stages of life. In addition to these disorders abnormal motion patterns, spasticity and weakness, vision and hearing problems, epilepsy, cognitive function disorders may be accompanied. Neuromuscular problems due to CP adversely affect oral health. In addition to orofacial problems, the influence of the extremities prevents the independence of the individual affected in many areas from oral hygiene to nutritional failures. Sialorrhea, dental caries, periodontal disease, bruxism, malocclusion, dental erosion, traumatic dental injuries, enamel defects, temporomandibular joint disorders and delay in dental eruption are frequently experienced in patients with CP. The aim of this study was to examine the publications related to oral health in CP patients in the literature and to compile oral health problems and methods of managing these problems in patients with CP. 'Cerebral Palsy, Oral Health, Oral, Dental, Health, Care, Hygiene, Caries, Dysphagia, Malocclusion, Bruxism, Tooth Brushing’and combinations of these words are scanned in Turkish and English in health databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Medline and others). Studies containing at least one subject for oral health in CP patients have been included in the examination. Existing approaches and standards were investigated. The populations examined in the studies are considered to be any subtypes of the CP, to be included in our study. The references of all scanned articles were also sought and examined. As a result, CP, one of the diseases with special requirements, brings many oral health problems. These problems adversely affect the quality of life as well as the general health of the affected individual. It is important that health professionals especially dentists, patients, patients’ parents and caregivers should be aware of the oral health problems that may be encountered, should have information about protective and therapeutic methods and determine the risks and be encouraged to configure the correct treatment protocols. © 2022 Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi. All rights reserved.