Oral Manifestations And Salivary Changes In Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Patients- A Review

This article reviews the current understanding of the oral and dental aspects of chronic kidney disease. As the number of people suffering from CKD increases worldwide, dentists are expected to encounter more patients with CKD who need oral care. CKD can elicit a wide spectrum of oral manifestations in the hard and soft tissues. Bleeding, altered drug metabolism, impaired immune function, and an increased risk of dentally induced bacterial endocarditis are some important features that require attention. Dental management of patients with CKD requires that clinicians appreciate that multiple systems can be affected by the disease. Dentists should consult with nephrologists regarding the specific precautions required for each patient. Medical treatments in these patients may need to be postponed due to an unfavourable oral health status or potential risk of life-threatening infection after surgery. Improving oral hygiene and performing necessary dental and oral treatment before hemodialysis or transplantation may prevent endocarditis and septicaemia in these patients. Hence, treatment plans should be formulated to restore the patient's dentition and protect them from potentially severe infections of dental origin.