MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & DENTAL HYGIENE Introductio

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease involving the central nervous system (Schapiro, 1998). Schapiro (1998) reports that there are 2,500,000 people in the world with multiple sclerosis and approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. with the condition. It is also noted that women are affected by multiple sclerosis 50 percent more often than men are. Indeed, the ratio of women to men suffers of multiple sclerosis is three to two.

Schapiro (1998) also points out that Multiple Sclerosis is more common among Caucasians (particularly those of northern European ancestry) than other races; for example, it is almost unheard of in some populations, such as Eskimos. The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature related to the effects of Multiple Sclerosis on oral health and what the disease entails with respect to dental hygiene. The paper closes with a summary of the basic material reviewed as it relates to the effects of multiple sclerosis on oral health and to actions that can be taken to overcome multiple-sclerosis debilities and so improve these patients' quality of oral health.

Effects of Multiple Sclerosis on Oral Health

Do people with Multiple Sclerosis have a poorer quality of oral health than the regular population? Most studies indicate that they do. For example, in an extensive review of the literature investigating this question, Craelius (1998) concluded that the bulk of existing studies showed a

. . .
t" or "hard" as "medium" bristles tend to wear down the teeth at the gum line. If the disability makes it difficult to manipulate objects with one's hands, it is recommended that one purchase a toothbrush with a very wide handle. The CDS (1995) further notes that many people with disabilities that find tooth brushing particularly challenging can buy electric toothbrushes as these provide the fine motion often difficult with conditions such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. An especially thorough cleaning is said to be provided by the electric ionizing toothbrush. Certain brands are also recommended by The Chicago Dental Society such as Interplak and Butler. It is further noted by the members of the society that the toothbrush can be adapted in several ways to make cleaning the teeth less difficult. For example, the handle can be inserted into a rubber ball or sponge hair curler, or it can be glued into a bicycle grip. Further, if necessary, toothbrush handles can be lengthened with a piece of wood (or plastic) such as a ruler, an ice cream bar stick or a tongue depressor. Often aids and adaptive devices can and should be used in an overall plan for optimal oral health. In this regard, an oral health care plan for disabled ad
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Multiple Sclerosis, Fox Stevens, Dental Society, Interplak Butler, multiple sclerosis, Sclerosis MS, University Washington, Feldman Douglass, oral health, Findings Stiefel's, Joint TMJ, multiple sclerosis patients, sclerosis patients, Firnhaber Orth, dental hygiene, optimal oral, oral disease, disabling conditions, dental health, fox stevens 1996, effects multiple, finzio fox stevens, dental caries, optimal oral health, oral health multiple,
Approximate Word count = 2146
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page)