Incidence of epileptic seizure-related oro-dental trauma in adults and children

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the incidence of epileptic seizure-associated head/neck and intra-oral injuries.
Methods: A questionnaire survey collecting information on the development of epilepsy and occurrence of oro-dental and head trauma was applied to 153 adult and 63 pediatric patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Intra-oral examination was performed in patients with a history of oro-dental trauma and the injured teeth were identified. The data were analyzed statistically.
Results: Trauma during epileptic seizures was reported by 58.8% of adults and 30.1% of children included in this study. The head and neck region, lips, and tongue were most commonly affected, and 10% of adults and 3.2% of pediatric patients had experienced tooth fracture. Stress and flu infections were the most common triggering factors for seizures in adults (43.7%) and children (23.8%), respectively. Patients diagnosed with generalized seizures sustained trauma more frequently, and a significant association between the number of antiepileptic drugs used and the incidence of trauma was observed in adults.
Conclusion: Based on the current findings, the incidence of head/neck and intra-oral injuries in epileptic patients was found to be dependent on the seizure type, number of medicine used, and the frequency of seizures.