Oral Hygiene and Oral Microbiota in Children with Neurological Impairment and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia: A Study

Objective: This study compared the oral hygiene and oral microbiota in children with neurological impairment and oropharyngeal dysphagia with and without gastrostomy. Method: Forty children and young people participated in this study: 19 females and 21 males, aged 2 to 22 years (mean age 8.6 years). Participants were divided into two groups: group I (GI = 20) with gastrostomy and group II (GII = 20) without gastrostomy (with oral feeding). Oral hygiene was assessed using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (SOHI). Analysis of two bacteria, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus , was performed by collecting saliva using an oral swab, then mRNA expression was evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results The oral hygiene index had a general median of 2.2, and the two groups were statistically different (Group I: median 2.9 and Group II: median 2.0) (p = 0.01751). Bacterial analysis indicated 13 individuals with S. mutans and none with S. sobrinus . Of the 13 individuals with S. mutans , 6 were from Group I and 7 from Group II. Conclusions Those with gastrostomy had worse oral hygiene, and both groups harbored the bacterium Streptococcus mutans .