What are some of the problems likely to occur in the tube fed person?
A. Malalignment of teeth – developmental abnormalities such as problems with muscle tone, persistence of certain oral reflexes and patterns of movement may lead to orthodontic problems. For instance, a tendency to tongue thrust may cause an “open bite”, where the front teeth poke out. The actual problem may depend on the disability and which reflex is strong. It can be hard to treat these alignment problems. It is not difficult to make teeth move into better positions (a.g. by braces or plates), but after the treatment is finished, they may not stay there if the reason for the problem is still present. Plaque is a film on the teeth that builds up if they are not cleaned. Plaque can cause two problems. One is that bacteria may produce acid by fermenting sugars from the food we eat. This acid can demineralise or destroy the enamel of the tooth leading to tooth decay. The other problem is that bacteria may produce toxins and enzymes that cause gingivitis, and the breakdown of gum tissue.
