Trisomy 21 Disability

Disability. A simple word that profoundly effects the lives of individuals around the world. Certain disabilities hide behind the thick walls of the skin, but others are evident the moment an individual steps into the room. The latter disability description characterizes Trisomy 21 or Down Syndrome. This unique syndrome not only has physical and mental side effects, but it also causes severe health side effects. Down syndrome individuals have a predisposition to periodontal disease; however, prevention precautions can be implemented to create an overall healthy oral cavity. Trisomy 21, more commonly known as down syndrome, is a genetic disorder that arises from a defect involving chromosome 21. Cells in the human body are composed of 23 …show more content…
Down syndrome individuals develop periodontal disease earlier and it is more rapid (Zigmond et al., 2006, p.492). As Sue Silver (2000) noted, “Several factors have been implicated in the periodontal problems of patients with Down’s syndrome, including poor oral hygiene, an impaired immune system, fragile periodontal tissue, and early senescence (p. 812.) Many factors contribute to Down Syndrome individuals’ increased suseptiablility to periodontal disease. As perviously discussed, small teeth roots are commonly found in down syndrome individuals; this unfavorable crown-to-root ratio may lead to impaired chewing function ( Shore et al., 2010, p.18). Difficulty in chewing and swallowing can lead to a stagnation of food in the oral cavity, which can contribute to periodontal disease (Shore et al.,2010, p. 18) Interestingly enough, almost 100% of down syndrome patients under the age of 30 have periodontal disease (Ferreira, 2016, p.1) Mouth breathing amongst down syndrome individuals is a factor that contributes to increased chronic periodontitis (Shore et al., 2010, p.18). A study found that in down syndrome individuals the teeth most often severely affected by periodontitis were the lower central incisors and the upper first molars. (Zigmond et al., 2006, p.498). It is thought that the susceptibility of these specific teeth to periodontitis might correlate with the fact that these teeth erupt first, and therefore, are exposed to destructive environmental factors longer (Zigmond et al., 2006, p. 498). Periodontal disease in these patients is severe, generalized, with rapid progression ( Ferreira et al., 2016, p.2) Periodontal disease is not attributed entirely to physical characterisitics, but it is also a result of bacterial