Effect of Dental Characteristics of Stroke Patients on the Masticatory System*

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the interplay between central facial paralysis and dental characteristics for impaired mastication in sub-acute or chronic-stage stroke patients. Method: 20 stroke patients and 27 healthy individuals were included in the study. Oral health, oral hygiene, masticatory efficiency, central facial paralysis, and forward head posture of the participants were assessed by OHIP-14 questionnaire, a self-prepared questionnaire, a two-colored chewing gum test, labial commissure, and craniocervical angle measurements. Stroke characteristics and dental characteristics were also assessed. Results: The sociodemographic and physical characteristics of both groups were similar (p>.05). The dental characteristics of the stroke patients were significantly poor compared to healthy individuals (p<.05). Masticatory efficiency of the stroke patients was nearly half that of the healthy individuals (p<.05). The forward head posture and facial paralysis values of both groups were similar (p>.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that central facial paralysis gradually loses its effect on impaired mastication in stroke patients and gives its place to dental characteristics. Masticatory muscle activation and increasing postural adaptations like forward head posture may not be preferred by stroke patients. The preferred mastication side might be used to assess the severity or existence of central facial paralysis in stroke patients.