Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common severe autosomal recessive disease in the Caucasian population. Although it remains incurable, it is currently possible to extend the life expectancy of patients with modern therapeutic possibilities. Given the medical issues that a child with CF faces, oral health may be perceived as being of lesser importance. Thus, the establishment of good dietary and oral hygiene practices may not take place, leading to an increased risk of caries and gingivitis due to poor oral hygiene. A change in patient management may be necessary to ensure optimal care.
Cystic fibrosis is a complex, lethal, multi-system autosomal recessive disease resulting from mutations on chromosome 7 that cause dysfunction of an ion channel located on epithelial surfaces. Pulmonary disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in CF. The specific dental manifestations of the disease may result from the condition itself or from complications of treatment. This study presents the dental problems observed in patients with cystic fibrosis and reported in the literature. Particular attention was paid to dental caries, disturbances in the mineralization of hard dental tissues, gingivitis and changes in the content and properties of saliva.
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