Oral Care for Those with Down’s Syndrome
25
Jun

Oral Care for Those with Down’s Syndrome

It can be difficult to achieve good oral hygiene in someone with Down’s syndrome. What is it that can make cleaning so difficult and is there any way to help prevent dental disease?

Problems associated with Down’s syndrome
Children born with Down’s syndrome, DS, have an extra piece of DNA that causes various effects all over the body. However, there are some specific effects which can make cleaning teeth much more difficult.

 Those with DS may have smaller mouths or larger tongues – meaning that it is physically difficult to clean teeth and to reach all areas of the mouth.

  • DS can cause tooth abnormalities which may result in misshapen teeth and overcrowding. Both of these complications can make cleaning more difficult.
  • Scientists are still in debate as to whether DS causes an elevated or reduced risk of cavity formation and if so why (a,b). However they do agree that people with
Read more