Oral health status and dental treatment needs in relation to salivary constituents and parameters among a group of patients with thyroid dysfunction

Abstract EN

Background : Thyroid dysfunction is a common disorder especially in women ; this study was conducted to investigate the effect of salivary constituents' changes on the dental, gingival and periodontal disease among patients with thyroid dysfunction.

Materials and methods : A sample composed of 60 females patients with thyroid dysfunction (30 with primary hyperthyroidism and 30 with primary hypothyroidism) (study groups), their age range was 20-25 years, while control group composed of (30 females) matching with age, all females were examined using the criteria of WHO1987, and periodontal parameters which include plaque index (PlI), calculus index (CalI), gingival index(GI), and Ramfjod index for the loss of periodontal attachment.

Results : the total mean values of caries experience were found to be highest in the study groups as compared to the control group, the same results were found for the all periodontal parameters.

Salivary pH and flow rate were observed to be lower among study groups compared to control group.

There were weak correlations between salivary organic and inorganic constituents and caries experience for both study and control groups.

Conclusion: Patients with thyroid dysfunction showed highly significant differences in dental caries and periodontal diseases compared to control group.

Patients with thyroid dysfunction need special attention for their dental health.