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Published on: February 2, 2020
Oral health status in epileptic children
1Department of Pedodontics, Atatürk University, Faculty of Dentistry, Erzurum, Turkey. gurbuzt25@yahoo.com
Insights
Children with epilepsy have poorer oral hygiene, increased dental caries, and worse periodontal health compared to healthy children. Seizures can also lead to oral injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
- Oral Health
Background:
- Epilepsy affects oral hygiene and dental health in children.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess oral hygiene status in children with epilepsy.
- To determine dental treatment needs in this population.
Main Methods:
- Compared 211 children with epilepsy (ages 4-15) to age/gender-matched healthy controls.
- Evaluated caries experience and periodontal health using clinical examinations.
- Utilized chi-squared test, Fisher exact test, and ANOVA for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Children with epilepsy showed significantly worse decayed/missing teeth, abrasion, and periodontal indexes (P < 0.001).
- Gingival enlargement occurred in 42% on valproate vs. 16% on phenobarbital.
- Dental caries, halitosis, and oral injuries from seizures were common.
Conclusions:
- Epileptic children face a higher risk of developing dental caries and gingivitis.
- Proactive oral health management is essential for children with epilepsy.
Background:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral hygiene status and dental treatment requirements in children with epilepsy.
Methods:
The treatment group consisted of 211 children with epilepsy (120 boys and 91 girls, 4-15 years old, mean age 7.85 + or - 2.98 years). The control group consisted of healthy children, matched by age and gender. Clinical features of the patients were obtained from hospital records. Clinical examinations were conducted, under standard light, using a plane buccal mirror, a dental probe and air drying to evaluate caries experience and to record the periodontal health of each child. Statistical analysis was performed using chi(2) test, Fisher exact test and anova.
Results:
The number of decayed and missing teeth, the degree of abrasion and periodontal indexes were significantly worse in patients with epilepsy, compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Gingival enlargement was documented in 42% of patients on valproate monotherapy compared to only in 16% of patients on phenobarbital. Dental caries and halitosis were the most common oral disorders. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures often cause minor oral injuries and traumatized anterior teeth.
Conclusions:
Epileptic children are at an increased risk of developing caries and gingivitis compared with healthy subjects.
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