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<article xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="1.0" article-type="dentistry" lang="en">
  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="publisher">JOHS</journal-id>
      <journal-id journal-id-type="nlm-ta">Journ of Health Scien</journal-id>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Journal of HealthCare Sciences</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="pubmed">Journ of Health Scien</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn pub-type="ppub">2231-2196</issn>
      <issn pub-type="opub">0975-5241</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Radiance Research Academy</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">316</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi">http://dx.doi.org/10.52533/JOHS.2024.41106</article-id>
      <article-id pub-id-type="doi-url"/>
      <article-categories>
        <subj-group subj-group-type="heading">
          <subject>Dentistry</subject>
        </subj-group>
      </article-categories>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>The Role of Oral Hygiene in Preventing Secondary Infections in Children with Immunocompromising Conditions&#13;
</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Zafer</surname>
            <given-names>Roaa Mubarak</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Alnasser</surname>
            <given-names>Shoruq Ali</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>AlJaffar</surname>
            <given-names>Eman Ali</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Alahmadi</surname>
            <given-names>Rahaf Yousif</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Alalawi</surname>
            <given-names>Amirah Ibrahim</given-names>
          </name>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <pub-date pub-type="ppub">
        <day>25</day>
        <month>11</month>
        <year>2024</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>4</volume>
      <issue>11</issue>
      <fpage>593</fpage>
      <lpage>600</lpage>
      <permissions>
        <copyright-statement>This article is copyright of Popeye Publishing, 2009</copyright-statement>
        <copyright-year>2009</copyright-year>
        <license license-type="open-access" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">
          <license-p>This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) Licence. You may share and adapt the material, but must give appropriate credit to the source, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made.</license-p>
        </license>
      </permissions>
      <abstract>
        <p>Immunocompromised children are particularly vulnerable to infections, including those originating from the oral cavity, due to their weakened immune systems. Oral hygiene plays a pivotal role in preventing secondary infections, which can arise from bacterial, fungal, and viral colonization in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene allows pathogenic microorganisms to flourish, increasing the risk of systemic infections such as bacteremia, sepsis, and pneumonia. The mechanisms linking oral health to systemic infections are multifaceted, involving disrupted microbial balance, impaired immune responses, and weakened mucosal barriers. Opportunistic pathogens such as Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Candida species often proliferate in the oral cavities of these children, leading to conditions like dental caries, periodontitis, and oral candidiasis. Preventive oral hygiene strategies for immunocompromised children include daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and the use of antimicrobial mouth rinses such as chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of oral mucositis and related secondary infections. Saliva substitutes and sodium bicarbonate mouthwashes help mitigate the effects of xerostomia, a common side effect of treatments like chemotherapy, which exacerbates the risk of oral infections. In high-risk cases, antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive dental procedures reduces the likelihood of bacteremia, with studies reporting up to 72% reduction in post-procedural infections. Professional dental care, including regular cleanings and the application of fluoride varnishes and sealants, also plays a critical role in preventing infections. Together, these preventive measures reduce the microbial load, support oral tissue integrity, and protect immunocompromised children from potentially life-threatening secondary infections. Emphasizing the integration of oral hygiene into the overall care plan for immunocompromised children is crucial for reducing morbidity and improving their quality of life.&#13;
</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group>
        <kwd>immunocompromised children</kwd>
        <kwd> oral hygiene</kwd>
        <kwd> secondary infections</kwd>
        <kwd> antibiotic prophylaxis</kwd>
        <kwd> oral health</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
</article>