Facts and controversies regarding oral health in Parkinson's disease: A case-control study in Spanish patients

• Published in: Medicina oral, patología oral y cirugía bucal Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. e419 - e425
• Main Authors: García-De-La-Fuente, A-M, Lafuente-Ibáñez-de-Mendoza, I, Lartitegui-Sebastián, M-J, Marichalar-Mendia, X, Echebarria-Goikouria, M-Á, Aguirre-Urizar, J-M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Medicina Oral S.L 01.09.2022
• ISSN: 1698-6946; 1698-4447; 1698-6946
• DOI: 10.4317/medoral.25348

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the leading neurological disorders, affecting more than 6 million people worldwide. These patients present motor and non-motor symptoms, including oral pathology. The objective of this research is to determine the oral health of patients diagnosed with PD, in order to stablish a specific preventive oral health programme. Case-control study on 104 PD and 106 control patients. The pre-designed clinical protocol included a complete oral examination on general aspects, standardised epidemiological index for caries, periodontal disease and edentulism, analysis of oral hygiene, presence of mucous/ salivary/ functional disorder, and dental treatments. A higher number of PD patients consumed daily sweets (p<0.004) and antidepressant drugs (p<0.004). Patients with PD practised less interdental hygiene (p<0.023). The mean plaque index was higher in PD (p<0.003). Drooling (p<0.001), xerostomia (p<0.001), hyposialia (p<0.001), dysphagia (p<0.001), hypogeusia/dysgeusia (p<0.025) and chewing difficulty (p<0.006) were more common in PD. Oral disorders are frequent in PD. A good knowledge of these alterations will allow us design a specific preventive protocol. Some oral alterations may be a sign of diagnostic alert or progression of PD.