Bell’s Palsy and Oral Implications

DEFINITION of Bells Palsy

One of the most common neurologic disorders affecting the cranial nerves and is the most common cause of an acute facial paralysis. The cause is unknown although research support a viral cause or iatrogenically caused from damage to nerves during intraoral local anesthetic injection or during oral surgery procedures.

Special Need Topic

Bell’s Palsy or

Facial Neuropathy

ORAL MANIFESTATIONS

Oral musculature numbness affects the ability to chew and to maintain a self-cleansing environment. This numbness could lead to oral trauma, such as cheek biting, and to increased debris on the side of the mouth that is affected. Other common effects are dry mouth, glossitis, and candidiasis.

ORAL HYGIENE INSTRUCTIONS

Establish a brushing pattern helps the client avoid missing areas. Rinsing with water after eating helps reduce trapped food, which the client may not feel. Us of an oral irrigator also is beneficial.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

The client should wear protective eyewear to prevent foreign material from entering the eye, because the client’s eyelids may not close on the affected side of the face.