Oral Hygiene and Oral Microbiota in Children with Neurological Impairment and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Study

Abstract

\n Objective\n\nThis study compared the oral hygiene and oral microbiota in children with neurological impairment and oropharyngeal dysphagia with and without gastrostomy. Method: Forty children and young people participated in this study: 19 females and 21 males, aged 2 to 22 years (mean age 8.6 years). Participants were divided into two groups: group I (GI\u2009=\u200920) with gastrostomy and group II (GII\u2009=\u200920) without gastrostomy (with oral feeding). Oral hygiene was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (SOHI). Analysis of two bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, was performed by collecting saliva using an oral swab, then mRNA expression was evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.\nResults\n\nThe oral hygiene index had a general median of 2.2, and the two groups were statistically different (Group I: median 2.9 and Group II: median 2.0) (p\u2009=\u20090.01751). Bacterial analysis indicated 13 individuals with S. mutans and none with S. sobrinus. Of the 13 individuals with S. mutans, 6 were from Group I and 7 from Group II.\nConclusions\n\nThose with gastrostomy had worse oral hygiene, and both groups harbored the bacterium Streptococcus mutans.