Prevalence of dental caries in autism
Investigators may have uncovered the risk of dental caries among patients with autism spectrum disorder.
In a cross-sectional study published in Cureus, the investigators asked 44 patients aged 4 to 17 years with autism spectrum disorder diagnoses to complete a questionnaire and undergo an oral examination.
Among the participants, just under 40% of them had dental caries. The investigators identified age as a significant factor influencing the prevalence of dental caries. For instance, a majority of those with dental caries were aged 7 to 11 years and were in the mixed dentition stage. Conversely, the participants with the lowest rate of dental caries were aged 3 to 6 years and were in the primary dentition stage. Expectedly, the frequency of teeth brushing among the participants was inversely associated with the prevalence of dental caries.
The investigators hope their findings can inspire the development of targeted interventions to prevent dental caries and promote oral hygiene practices that better suit the dental needs of this patient population.
Read more: Cureus
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