MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND DENTAL HYGIENE
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 greater incidence of decayed, missing, and filled teeth in Multiple Sclerosis populations, and that this is true not only in the United States but also in other countries (e.g., Australia).
In another study, McGrother, Dugmore, Phillips, Raymond, Garrick & Baird (1999) found a higher incidence of both dental caries and fillings in Multiple Sclerosis patients when compared to normal controls. Further, in research conducted by Symons (1993) examining the oral health of...