Oral health in a group of patients with Rett syndrome in the regions of Valencia and Murcia (Spain): A case-control study

Abstract

Objectives: Rett syndrome (RS) is a rare disease with oral manifestations that have not been described in detail or in a standardized manner in the literature. The present study describes the oral health of the population with RS in two Spanish regions, following the protocol of the World Health Organization for conducting common oral health surveys. Study Design: A prospective, observational case-control study was carried out, involving a group of patients with RS (n1=41) and a mean age of 13.37±3.19 years, and an age- and gender-matched control group without RS (n0=82). The data referred to oral health and habits were recorded by means of a questionnaire and oral examination was used to document caries indicators (prevalence of caries, df(t), df(s), DMF(T), DMF(S) and indices referred to dental loss, morbidity, restoration), the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and the most characteristic oral manifestations. Results: The most frequent oral habit in the patients with RS was diurnal bruxism, followed by stereotyped tongue movements and oral breathing. The caries scores were lower in the RS population than in the control group, but patients with RS showed greater periodontal alterations and a greater prevalence of drooling, dental wear, high-arched palate and anterior open bite. Conclusions: The population with RS exhibits characteristic and early oral habits and alterations, and periodontal problems that are more notorious than caries disease, so that our efforts should focus on the diagnosis and early correction of the parafunctional habits, promoting restorative treatment, and providing instructions on correct oral hygiene. Key words:Rett syndrome, oral habits, bruxism, caries.

Oral health status of children and young adults with autism spectrum disorders: systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Studies have been conducted to verify the oral health status of these individuals [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] . The current data regarding the occurrence of such conditions in individuals with ASD, however, seem to be controversial 8,9,13,14 , hampering the development of preventive and therapeutic actions. Although some published literature has reported that individuals with ASD have lower caries experience or are even caries-free 12,13,15 , others suggest a high prevalence of caries, leading authors to consider autism as a risk factor for dental caries 11 .…”

Oral findings in Rett syndrome: An update and review of the literature

“…Other case reports and studies also highlighted the abovementioned signs. 1,4,16,17 The most comprehensive systematic review of the dental literature on the subject was presented by FuertesGonzález et al, who listed all the oral findings in 35 patients: xerostomia, stomatitis, glossitis, erythema multiforme, sialorrhea, dysgeusia, gingivitis, parotid gland swelling, periodontal abscesses, sinusitis, dysphagia and tongue paralysis due to drugs, digitalmanual suck ing/nibbling, bruxism, oral breathing, tongue thrusting, dribbling, mandibular lateralization, gingivitis, caries, higharched palate, open bite, traumatism, dental wear, sialorrhea, and masseter hypertrophy. 18 In the analyzed studies, great attention was paid to the need for prevention.…”

“…Topical fluoride applications are recommended to reduce the risk of caries, as are frequent checks by the attending dentist. 11,17 When it is necessary to intervene, the literature describes the use of mouth props to secure a degree of stability and oral opening, in order to facilitate dental exploration and/or treatment. As regards behavioral management, some au thors suggested the application of certain techniques used in autism (routines and the avoidance of noise).…”

Contribution to the Viabilityof the DMF-T Simplificationin Adults and Older Adults

“…However, numerous works using this index have been identified, almost all using the "full mouth" method in order to obtain prevalence data and manifestation of dental caries in various countries, populations, age groups and study approaches, confirming the wide use of this index [4,[18][19][20][21].…”