Oral hygiene habits and oral health in cystic fibrosis

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ABSTRACT

Aim

The present study was designed to investigate oral hygiene habits and fluoride use in cystic fibrosis (CF) homozygotes,
heterozygotes and healthy controls as a function of caries experience (DMF-T) and oral cleanliness (dental plaque, dental calculus and
gingival bleeding).

Methods

Oral hygiene habits in CF homozygotes (n=42), heterozygotes (n=48) and healthy controls (n=62) were
used in a multivariate analysis with caries experience (DMF-T) and oral cleanliness (dental plaque, calculus and gingival bleeding) as
response variables.

Results

CF homozygotes had a significantly lower caries experience (p0.001) and less gingival bleeding
sites (p0.02). Oral hygiene habits were not significantly different between the three groups, except for intake of fluoride
supplements. Significantly more CF homozygotes had received fluoride supplements. Oral hygiene habits did affect caries experience
or oral hygiene differently in each study group.

Conclusion

No matter what oral hygiene habits were, CF homozygotes had an
overall better oral health status. Apparently they seemed to possess intrinsic salivary compensatory mechanisms, as the significant
higher use of fluoride supplements appeared not to be responsible for the better oral health.

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