Oral Health and Dental Caries in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients

Cleft lip and palate represent common congenital anomalies that disrupt the continuity of the lip and maxillary arch, creating morphological niches prone to plaque retention. These anatomical challenges, compounded by surgical scar tissue and compromised oral muscle function, hinder effective oral hygiene and foster microbial dysbiosis. As a result, patients with cleft lip and palate exhibit higher prevalence of dental caries and gingival inflammation throughout childhood. Salivary flow and composition may be altered by both the cleft defect and associated surgical procedures, further influencing cariogenic risk. Early colonisation by opportunistic pathogens and elevated pro-inflammatory mediators have been documented in neonates prior to primary repair, suggesting that preventive strategies should begin at birth. A multidisciplinary approach—integrating paediatric dentistry, orthodontics, speech therapy and surgical care—is essential to implement tailored caries risk assessment, targeted fluoride and antimicrobial regimens, and microbiota-friendly feeding practices. Recognition of global variations in access to specialist services underlines the need for standardised protocols to reduce the burden of oral disease in this vulnerable population.

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Oral Health and Dental Caries in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in oral health and dental caries in cleft lip and palate patients across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cleft lip and palate: Congenital malformations affecting lip and/or palate resulting in communication between oral and nasal cavities.

Dental caries: Demineralisation of dental hard tissues by acidic by-products of bacterial metabolism.

Oral microbiome: Community of microorganisms inhabiting the oral cavity, including bacteria, fungi and viruses.

dmft/dmfs: Standard indices denoting decayed, missing and filled primary teeth (dmft) and surfaces (dmfs).

Plaque index: Clinical measure of biofilm accumulation on tooth surfaces.

Dysbiosis: Imbalance in microbial communities that can predispose to disease.

References

1. Orofacial clefts alter early life oral microbiome maturation towards higher levels of potentially pathogenic species: A prospective observational study. Journal of Oral Microbiology (2023).
2. Orofacial clefts lead to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels on neonatal oral mucosa. Frontiers in Immunology (2022).
3. Dental caries and periodontitis risk factors in cleft lip and palate patients. Frontiers in Pediatrics (2023).
4. Caries in children with and without orofacial clefting: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Oral Diseases (2022).