Dental Health Is Vital for Children with Heart Disease

Dental Health Critical for Children with Heart Disease

Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Dt. Nurgül Demir noted that dental caries remain the most common infectious disease affecting the vast majority of children.

"In these patients, the sugar content of medications that must be used regularly or their administration with sweet foods, excess nighttime meals, and nutritional deficiencies seen in early infancy emerge as other risk factors," explained Dt.

Nurgül Demir, continuing her remarks as follows:

"It is known that 7-10 out of every 1,000 babies born have congenital heart disease. In children born with congenital heart disease, maintaining oral hygiene at the highest level is very important.

The risk of developing 'infective endocarditis,' known as heart muscle infection, is high in these children. Dental treatments and bacterial spread that may occur during daily oral hygiene routines can cause infective endocarditis."

[caption id="attachment_157582" align="aligncenter"] Dt. Nurgül Demir[/caption]

Emphasizing the importance of monitoring from the moment primary teeth begin to emerge in patients under follow-up for heart disease during infancy, Nurgül Demir stated that pediatric dental examination must be performed.

Stressing correct technique and product selection to protect teeth from decay and maintain gum health, Demir said "Tooth brushing habits should be instilled in the child under parental supervision, and dietary habits should be coordinated with the child's physician.

Depending on the child's cavity risk status, preventive or arresting treatments such as professional fluoride applications may be planned by the pediatric dentist when necessary. If advanced cavities are present and restorative or extraction treatments are required, dental treatments must absolutely be coordinated with the pediatric cardiologist."

Stating "Another important point to address is that in some advanced heart conditions seen in children, general anesthesia is a high-risk treatment option," Nurgül Demir continued as follows:

"Ensuring continuity of oral hygiene habits from infancy under parental supervision, not missing pediatric dental appointments, and treating dental cavities in early stages are important for controlling risks that may be encountered in children born with congenital heart disease.

In this way, dental treatments can be completed through treatment appointments planned with shortened procedure times, without losing the cooperation that children can demonstrate for limited periods in the dentist's chair."

1-Dietary habits should be regulated under physician supervision, and cavity-causing foods should be avoided.

2-The first dental examination should be performed when primary teeth begin to erupt during infancy, and regular pediatric dental checkups should not be missed.

3-Tooth brushing routines must be conducted under parental supervision, with care taken to maximize cleaning effectiveness through correct technique and product selection.

4-Preventive dentistry approaches such as fluoride applications should be initiated when the pediatric dentist deems necessary, preventing the development of cavities and gum infections.

5-Dental treatments that must be performed when necessary should absolutely be coordinated with the pediatric cardiologist.