Oral care after stroke

Poor oral care can have serious mental, physical and social consequences, and adversely affect quality of life after a stroke. A prompt oral assessment facilitates the development of an oral care plan based on individual stroke patient's needs. Basic oral care should be combined with early diagnosis and referral for the management of dental pathology so that dentition, natural or prosthetic, can be maintained. Stroke patients often experience oral discomfort and pain, oral infections (especially oral candidiasis), and difficulties in denture-wearing. Normal daily activities that affect oral hygiene, such as eating, drinking and tooth-brushing, can be severely disrupted. Over time, lack of adequate oral care will lead to progression of dental caries and periodontal disease, which can result in tooth loss and pain. This impacts patients' ability to eat and their quality of life, and may complicate ongoing medical management.