Dental aspects of patients with cystic fibrosis: a preliminary clinical study.

The oral conditions of 42 patients being treated for cystic fibrosis were 
evaluated. The patients were grouped by age and, in some aspects, 
were compared with a small control group of their siblings. The 
patient group had a lowered incidence of plaque and less gingival 
disease than did the control group in which every person had 
some amount of plaque or gingival disease. Calculus formation was minimal. 
The reasons for the finding of minimal plaque in the patient 
group could be related to several factors, including the life-long use 
of various antibiotic agents, the chewing of digestive enzyme supplements, the 
effect of medical management on tooth hardness, and the effect of 
stained teeth (possible tetracycline deposition) on the plaque microorganisms. It appears 
that the therapy for cystic fibrosis was beneficial to the periodontal 
health of these patients. Much further study is needed to understand 
the interrelationship between an altered oral environment (salivary changes in cystic 
fibrosis), altered microbial flora (by antibiotics, enzymes) and even altered tooth 
surfaces (possible tetracycline deposition). Most patients were found to have one 
or more oral habits. Tooth mobility was associated with tension habits. 
Patients who had clubbed fingers (indicating pulmonary compromise) and possibly a 
severe disease process, did not appear to have either stained teeth 
or the severity of the gingivitis associated with this. The relationship 
of tetracycline to tooth staining could not be pinpointed. 