Importance of Oral Hygiene Habits in Mentally Disabled Children.
BACKGROUND
The main factor related to gingival/periodontal problems in disabled individuals is the inadequacy of the plaque removal from the teeth. Motor coordination problems and muscular limitation in neuromuscularly disabled individuals along with the difficulty in understanding the importance of oral hygiene in mentally disabled individuals have resulted in the progression of inflammatory diseases.


METHODS
This report describes a case of cerebral palsy child who developed gingival hyperplasia due to poor oral hygiene practices which remarkably improved by proper motivation and adaptation of oral hygiene measures.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important that the caretakers especially mother is informed about the importance of maintaining proper oral hygiene and the harmful effects of not doing so. It forms our duty to guide them towards maintaining good oral hygiene and thereby help in improving overall health of these children.
Principal, Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry,VS Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru Karnataka, India.
Usha Mohan
UM
Das
Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry,VS Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka India.
Beena
B
Jp
Postgraduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, VS Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru Karnataka, India.
Divya
D
Reddy
Mentally disabled; gingival hyperplasia.; oral hygiene