DENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE CONSUMPTION OF A KETOGENIC DIET FOR THE TREATMENT OF EPILEPSY

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic pathology arising from an abnormal electrical brain manifestation, which causes neurological repercussions. The treatment of epilepsy  employs drug administration and can also use the ketogenic diet. It is known that the use of the ketogenic diet to cope with epilepsy promotes repercussions in terms of the oral health of patients undergoing treatment. The objective of this article was to show how the use of the ketogenic diet in the therapy used to cope with epilepsy can influence the oral health of individuals undergoing treatment. Drug treatment of epilepsy uses anticonvulsants and often requires the use of more than one drug for treatment, which can lead to adverse systemic and oral effects. Treatment with drugs through the administration of phenytoin, generally used for the treatment of epilepsy, which can bring dental repercussions and periodontal changes, such as gingival hyperplasia, deserves attention and dental care. Knowledge and awareness on the part of dental surgeons about the dental care that should be adopted for these special patients with epilepsy are of paramount importance for carrying out a dental approach. It was concluded that the oral repercussions arising from epilepsy should be identified and treated immediately, while the dental surgeon contacts sick patients, since otherwise one can live with aggravating factors and worsening of the dental condition presented, therefore, one should excel in preventing the unfavorable evolution of the patients' oral health status.

Keywords: Epilepsy. Diet, Ketogenic. Dentistry. Oral Health.