The Comparison of Various Oral Hygiene Strategies in Neuromusculary Disabled Individuals

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the effect of various oral hygiene strategies on the symptoms of inflammation in neuromuscularly disabled patients and to define the optimum hygiene method.Methods: Fifty-nine neuromuscularly disabled participants, suffering from cerebral palsy, were randomly divided into five groups as follows: Group M: manual toothbrush (n=14), Group E: electrically powered toothbrush (n=9), Group MC: manual toothbrush and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) spray (n=13), Group EC: electrically powered toothbrush and CHX spray (n=9), and Group C: CHX spray (n=14). The oral hygiene applications were provided by the parents and staff. At baseline and after 21 days the plaque index (PI), the gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. Results:In intra-group comparisons of the pre-and post-application scores, in all groups the PI and GI scores and BOP percentages, except in Group C, were found significantly different (p<0.05). There were significant differences among the post-application scores, between Group M and Group E and between Group C and Group E in PI scores; between Group C and Group E the difference in GI scores were found statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions:Although all oral hygiene strategies reduced plaque and gingival inflammation, the results of our study suggested the electrically powered toothbrush could be more recommendable to neuromuscularly disabled people in these strategies, while the combined procedures appeared to be neither beneficial nor favorable.

Mechanical control of biofilm in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial

“…in a study of healthy individuals aged between 18 and 67 years. Bozkurt et al . studied individuals with CP and found that the electric toothbrush was significantly superior to manual brushing, contrary to the results of the present study.…”

“…The reduction of biofilm observed in the present study was inferior to that found in studies with healthy individuals for all three brushing methods (Table ). The reduction of biofilm has been reported as lower in patients with motor disabilities, possibly due to the difficulties faced during brushing, which is similar to the findings of the present study. According to the Turesky modification Quigley–Hein index, the accumulation of up to 40% of biofilm on the dental surface can be considered acceptable and does not damage dental and periodontal structures.…”

Interdisciplinary approach to oral health for persons with developmental disabilities

“…Disregarding the PDD's heterogeneity as to the types and levels of their disabilities may obscure important information about subsets of this population with greater oral health needs. For example, gingival hyperplasia caused by certain antiseizure medications 24,25 and motor skill decrements among persons with cerebral palsy, 26 result in poorer oral hygiene and periodontal indices for special subsets of PDD.…”

Assessment of dental trauma among cerebral palsy individuals in Udaipur city

“…In dentistry, several important aspects, such as ability to maintain oral hygiene, caries, and periodontal conditions, have been discussed in individuals with cerebral palsy (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Nevertheless, the dental literature presents only a few studies evaluating the prevalence of dental trauma in children with different kinds of disabilities (14,15) or cerebral palsy.…”