Stroke and oral function

Abstract

Stroke (cerebrovascular disease) is second cause of long-term nursing care in Japan. There are two main type of stroke: ischemic (cerebral infarction) and hemorrhagic (intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage). Stroke causes oral dysfunction due to declined brain function. Oral dysfunction after stroke is sensory, motor, and cognitive dysfunction, and its severity and symptom could depend on stages of stroke recovery.

Dysphagia rehabilitation play a main role of oral health management of stroke patients, however, oral function such as oral hygiene and dentures tends to be poor. It is therefore important to provide the evaluation and care of oral health with seamless interdisciplinary approach of medical and dental professions in community such as hospitals, nursing-care facilities, and home-care. Prosthetic dentistry would play an important role in this oral health management of stroke patients, because denture treatment is limited to dentists.