Challenges in Oral Health for People with Disabilities

 People with disabilities suffer from various diseases, but among them, oral diseases account for the largest proportion. For individuals with physical disabilities, their limited mobility can lead to neglect in dental care, while those with intellectual or developmental disabilities face increased risks due to lower awareness of oral hygiene.

Even for non-disabled individuals, maintaining oral health can be challenging, and it becomes an even greater obstacle for disabled individuals who struggle with self-care of their teeth.

 

 

What are the most common diseases of the oral cavity faced by individuals with disabilities?

 According to a report released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea in 2021, common oral diseases that often appear in individuals with disabilities are periodontal disease and tooth decay.

 

Periodontal disease

  • Meaning: Periodontal diseases are mainly the result of infections and inflammation of the gums and bone that surround and support the teeth. This can be classified into gingivitis and periodontitis, depending on its stage.
  • Causes: The cause of periodontal disease is a bacterial plaque called "dental plaque," which forms continuously on the teeth and gums.
  • Symptoms: Redness or bleeding of gums, Gum swelling, Bad breath(Halitosis), Deep pockets between the teeth and the gums, Loose teeth in the later stages
  • Complications: Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Cancer
  • Prevention: It can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional teeth cleaning. Daily brushing and flossing are recommended as parts of proper oral hygiene.

 

 

Tooth Decay

The stages of tooth decay : Health Tooth -> Decay in enamel -> Decay in dentin -> Decay in pulp -> Dead tooth

  • Meaning: Tooth Decay is the breakdown of teeth due to acids produced by bacteria.
  • Causes: The cause of tooth decay is acid from bacteria dissolving the hard tissues of the teeth. The acid is produced by the bacteria when they break down food debris or sugar on the tooth surface.
  • Symptoms: Pain, Tooth Loss, Difficulty eating
  • Complications: Inflammation around the tooth
  • Prevention: It can be prevented by regular cleaning of the teeth, a diet low in sugar and small amounts of fluoride.

 

 

How to prevent these diseases through oral care

 Periodontal disease and Tooth Decay can lead to chronic disease if proper oral care is not provided. Moreover, for individuals with disabilities, dental check-ups can be relatively difficult, making early diagnosis of diseases challenging. Therefore, due to the challenging nature of dental treatment for disabled patients, prevention becomes essential. A common method to prevent both diseases is maintaining good oral hygiene through regular and thorough brushing.

 However, people with disabilities can't brush their teeth independently so they need assistance from caregivers or guardians. While assisting, there are also concerns about not being able to brush their teeth thoroughly and the risk of aspiration pneumonia due to swallowing gargling water.

bluereo electric suction toothbrush G100

 bluereo G100 is a product that can be helpful in such situations. It is the world's first electric toothbrush contained with a suction function. Just take a look at our G100’s exclusive features!

  • Soft Sonic Vibration : Sonic vibrations of 14,000 times per minute protect recipient's sensitive gums, which also provides effective cleansing.
  • LED Light : LED light completes the convenient brushing. It attached to the Brush Head brightens up the inside of recipients' mouth while brushing.
  • Water Suction 500ml(16.9 Fl Oz.) Per Minute : The water inside the mouth is drawn out through the suction holes located on the top of the Brush Head, through the Tube, to the Foldable Pouch.
  • Perfect Brush For Sensitive Teeth : Soft and antibacterial bristles help caregivers to provide hygienic oral care. Caregivers can replace the Brush Heads to take care of multiple recipients.
  • 2 Sizes of Toothbrush : Two sizes are available, allowing it to be used according to the mouth size of recipient.

Through the above five functions, it can help keep the good oral hygiene for people with disabilities.

For more details, check our product page!

 

 

Summary

 People with disabilities face a higher risk of oral diseases due to limited mobility or lower awareness of oral hygiene. Common oral diseases are periodontal disease and tooth decay, which can lead to chronic conditions if not properly managed.

 Preventing these diseases is crucial, especially for individuals with disabilities who may find dental check-ups challenging. Maintaining good oral hygiene through regular and thorough brushing is a common preventive method.

 However, for those who are unable to brush their teeth independently, assistance from caregivers or guardians is necessary. bluereo G100, a unique electric toothbrush with a suction function, offers a beneficial solution. Its soft sonic vibration, LED light, and water suction function helps to provide hygienic oral care for disabled individuals, making it easier for caregivers to maintain their oral health.