Influence of Joint Flexibility, Hand Grip Strength and Pain on Oral Hygiene in Musculoskeletal Disorders—A Non-Interventional Clinical Study

Abstract

Diseases of the oral cavity and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common occurrences. They are commonly linked with partial mobility, resulting in limited visits to dentists for routine oral care, causing poor periodontal condition, bleeding, gingival inflammation, and increased depth of periodontal pockets. The present study was conducted to measure joint movements, hand grip strength, and pain in joints and their association with oral health. Materials and methods: The study included 200 subjects, half suffering from back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist problems, belonging to different age groups and professions; 100 had joint pain, and 100 were without joint pain. The study assessed individuals exposed to oral health issues by measuring the strength of hand grip, flexibility, and pain score of the back, neck, shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The strength of the hand grip and the angle of the elbow and shoulder were measured in addition to a questionnaire to assess the relationship between back pain and oral health. To evaluate dental health status and oral hygiene, the total number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMF/T) and Oral Hygiene Index—Simplified (OHI-S) indices were used. Results: The difference between all demographic parameters was statistically significant (p < 0.05). It was observed that there was a significant difference in calculus, debris, and dental caries scores in both groups, with significantly lower scores and better oral hygiene in patients without joint pain. Concerning pain score and joint movements, the group without joint pain showed a significantly better range of movements and less pain than patients suffering from joint pain, and statistically a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between both groups. Conclusion: The present study revealed that musculoskeletal disorders, pain in the neck and hand, and restricted movements were common among professionals. We observed that pain in joints, neck, and hands, with restricted movements, caused a serious impact on the maintenance of oral hygiene practices among subjects of different professions.

A Comparative Study Between Eccentric Strengthening and Grip Strengthening for Forearm Weakness in Individuals of Dental Practices

“…In gripping activities, the muscles of the flexion in both the gripping surface of the hand and the forearm generate force for gripping, while the muscles of extensors in the forearm stabilize the joint at the wrist. These muscles rely on the palm of the hand to provide a stable surface for securely holding the gripped object [4].…”