Tooth Wear in Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Several studies have described the impact that dental caries and periodontitis may have on the dentitions of individuals with Down syndrome, but there are few reports about the effects of tooth wear. This investigation aimed to compare the aetiology, prevalence and severity of tooth wear in 49 cytogenetically confirmed Down syndrome children with 49 non-Down syndrome controls. Methods: This study involved three aspects: an oral examination, including obtaining dental impressions; a dietary analysis spanning three days; and a questionnaire seeking information about habits, medical problems and medications. Tooth wear severity was scored on a 4-grade scale (none-to-little; moderate; severe; very severe), while aetiology was classified as being due to attrition mainly, erosion mainly, or a combination of both. Double determinations established scoring method reliability and chi-square tests assessed associations between samples. Results: Tooth wear was significantly more frequent (p<0.01) in the Down syndrome than the non-Down syndrome sample (67.4 per cent cf 34.7 per cent), with more of the Down syndrome children showing severe to very severe wear (59.2 per cent cf 8.2 per cent). Significantly more Down syndrome children (p<0.05) displayed a multifactorial aetiology of tooth wear, i.e., both attrition and erosion (46.7 per cent cf 28.6 per cent), although no particular dietary link was established. Gastric reflux and vomiting were reported in over 20 per cent of the Down syndrome sample. Conclusions: Given the potential consequences of high levels of tooth wear, associated with tooth grinding and an acidic oral environment in Down syndrome children, educational programmes aimed at increasing awareness of carers and health professionals are needed urgently.

Prevalence and predictive factors of sleep bruxism in children with and without cognitive impairment

“…Previous studies reported that individuals with cognitive impairment are more prone to this parafunction due to spasticity (an increase in muscle tone at the time of muscle contraction caused by an abnormal neurological condition -the spastic muscles are more resistant to contraction than normal muscles and also require more effort to relax and remain contracted for a period of time). [10][11][12][13] However, recent studies have found that the prevalence of SB is similar between such individuals and control individuals matched for age. 6,17 As a result of different study methods, clinical criteria and the populations studied, the reported prevalence of SB varies significantly.…”

“…[7][8][9] Only a few studies have investigated the diverse aspects related to SB in patients with physical and/ or cognitive impairments. [10][11][12][13] Recent studies found a higher prevalence in individuals with Down syndrome when compared to individuals without cognitive impairment. Additionally, SB appeared to affect individuals with cerebral palsy twice as much as control individuals.…”

Prevalence of bruxism among Mexican children with Down syndrome

“…Researchers have reported prevalence figures between 18% and 70% [13,[22][23][24][25] . When compared with children without Down syndrome, investigators have found a higher prevalence of bruxism in boys and girls with trisomy 21 [22,23,25] , and it has also been suggested that daytime bruxism is more common in children with Down syndrome due to spasticity [13] . However, no study has reported if age, sex, intellectual disability level, and type of chromosomal abnormality of the trisomy 21 influence the prevalence of bruxism in the population with Down syndrome.…”

Patient with Down syndrome and implant therapy: a case report

“…Adults with DS might be more prone to suffering falls due to impaired motor development (6). Fracture or luxations of anterior teeth are frequent and usually compromising pulp vitality (7).…”