Question

Subject is Dental Hygiene

Discuss noma: Who is usually affected, how is it treated, and how can it be avoided?

Answer 1

Noma/Cancerous oris

Noma is the gangrenous infectious disease of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity which usually affects the soft and hard tissues of the oral.

Who is usually affected?

It mostly occurs in children between the ages of 1 - 16 years. The peak incidence is noted between the age of 1 - 4 years who lived in poor environmental condition, malnourished, poverty, poor oral habits, weakened immunity, unsafe water and with an infectious disease such as measles, whooping cough, Shigella, and TB. It occur worldwide and more commonly seen in sub-Sahara Africa.

How it is treated?

• The acute stage can be treated with antibiotic treatment.
• Wound care with wound debridement and removal of necrotic tissue.
• Treatment of immunosuppressing condition.
• Provide adequate hydration, electrolyte balance, and nutritional supplementation.
• Facial correction and reconstruction surgery if required.

How it can be avoided?

• Maintain oral hygiene with proper brushing and flossing.
• Use of recommended antiseptic mouthwashes.
• Intake of the well-balanced diet.
• Follow-up of the immunization schedule.
• Periodic oral checkups.
• Change of lifestyle pattern.
• Make awareness of the noma disease condition and prevention.