Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education

Scientific literature and patient education texts

Back to Evidence & Education / Patient Education

Dental Health in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

key information

source: Nicklaus Children's Hospital

year: 2018

summary/abstract:

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of disorders that affects hemoglobin. It is an atypical hemoglobin molecule (hemoglobin S) which can distort red blood cells into a sickle or crescent shape.

How Does SCD Affect the Oral Health of Children?

Children with SCD may present anemia, repeated infections, and shortness of breath. Also, they might experience episodes of pain. These manifestations of the condition need to be taken into consideration when treating children with SCD.

Dental Characteristics of Sickle Cell Disease:
• Delayed teeth eruption
• Enamel Hypoplasia (Softening of the outer-most layer of the teeth)
• Malocclusion (abnormal alignment of the teeth)
• Periodontitis (condition that affects the gingiva and bone around the teeth)

read more

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close

To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close