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Brief Summary
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Autism
Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a genetically diverse condition that significantly
hampers mental and emotional development, leading to challenges in learning,
communication, and social interaction. It
is characterized by male-to-female ratio
of 4 :1. The disorder involves a complex interaction between genetic
inheritance and environmental factors, influenced by epigenetic mechanisms .Children with autism also tend to prefer repetition and
sameness. Whether it’s for their preferred activities, hobbies, mealtimes, or
bedtime, routines come naturally to them.1
Oral problems in individuals with autism
may arise from behaviours associated factors such as personal neglect,
self-injurious behaviours, dietary habits, the impact of medication, resistance
to dental care, inability to cooperate in dental settings, hyposensitivity to pain, and possible
avoidance of social contact . They exhibit a preference for sweets and
soft foods, coupled with a tendency to retain food within their mouths,
particularly in areas such as the vestibule, interdental, and occlusal regions.
Given these considerations, a proactive dental prevention approach is required more
effective than treatment for children with autism.2
A study by Sikarwar et al. showed that children with autism
had poor oral hygiene and gingival health with a higher incidence of periodontal
disease than normal children. People with ASD tend to have higher plaque and
gingival index scores ,often requiring more periodontal treatments like scaling
and root planning .Frequent gingivitis in people with autism is linked to a
number of factors, including inconsistent brushing practices, a lack of manual skills,
inadequate hand-eye coordination, poor oral health awareness, ignorance of
teeth, and adverse drug reactions from several drugs used to treat various autistic
symptoms4. Dental caries is a common oral manifestation among children
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), representing a chronic condition that
typically occurs over a lifetime. If left untreated, dental caries can lead to
more severe clinical results such as pulp involvement and abscess formation,
significantly affecting the quality of life for affected children5. The
prevalence of dental caries in individuals with ASD is high, reaching up to 77%, compared to 46% in
non-ASD children. Additionally, gingivitis affects 97% of ASD children, while
only 41% of their non-ASD counterparts experience this condition. Due to their
specific dental needs, children with ASD necessitate preventive
Tooth brushing plays a crucial role in
maintaining oral health and is considered a fundamental self-care skill.
Nevertheless, there is evidence suggesting that children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD) encounter challenges in their daily tooth brushing practices, as
found by the study conducted by Du, Yiu, King, and colleagues (2019).
Preventive educational interventions, focusing on imparting a simple, correct,
and effective tooth brushing technique, may be beneficial in enhancing oral
health, especially for young individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD),
as highlighted in the study by Piraneh and colleagues (2022).3
The majority of children with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to resist brushing and may attempt to avoid
this daily task due to perceiving it as a tedious and disliked procedure.
Parents often employ various strategies such as contingency management,
offering gifts, and even using bribes to motivate their children for regular
brushing. However, despite these efforts, many parents struggle to instill a
genuine interest in brushing for their children.6
Literature
states that calming, non-lyrical, low tone, wind, and string instruments
produce a soothing effect during dental treatment for patients.
Recognizing the importance of cultivating the child’s interest in brushing, new
devices have been introduced to make the experience enjoyable. One such innovation
is the musical tooth brush. This toothbrush plays music when the child starts
brushing making it cheerful process .7
So, this study will be aimed to evaluate
the efficacy and acceptance of musical toothbrush with manual toothbrush in children
with Autism spectrum disorder in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. |