Oral Hidratation and Caries Experience in Cerebral Palsy Individuals

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of oral hydration and the experience of dental caries in individuals with Cerebral Palsy(CP).
Methods: In this study, 63 children and teenagers with CP, of both genders, aged 5-16 (G1) and 50 children without neurological disorders (G2) were included. Initially the samples were obtained through these CP individuals’ medical records containing information such as their type of mobility disorder, clinical type of CP, use medication, and the level of Gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). At the time 0 of this study, the weight and height of the participants were measured in order to determine their body mass index. A follow-up clinical intra-oral examination was made to determine the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMF). After the dental examination, saliva was collected for the first time in order to measure the salivary flow and osmolality at time 0. The resting saliva was collected with Salivette ®. The assessment of Oral Motricity was performed using the Oral Motor Assessment Scale. At time 1, the volume of liquid ingested in the past 24 hours was recorded and, afterwards, a new saliva collection was made. Following that, the caregivers gave orientation to provide a thickened liquid during the next 24 hours and the amount given was recorded. Twenty-four hours later (time 2), a new collection of saliva was performed. Data was collected regarding dietary patterns, the presence of choking, food refusal, and loss of food and liquids.
Results: The results of this study propose that individuals with severe neurological and motor complications present more difficulty in keeping hydrated and even when presenting the changes alimentary patterns, when offering liquids with or without thickening agents, these individuals respond favorably to oral hydration.
Conclusions: The reduction in salivary flow and an increase in osmolality can be caused by a state of hypohydration in these individuals and may be related to the higher observed DMF index. The thickening agent was considered an alternative to facilitate water administration to patients with more severe oral motor impairment.