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Cystic fibrosis and its impact on the oral cavity and dental treatments – a scoping review

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Abstract

Objectives

Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, mainly affecting the respiratory and digestive systems. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have increased life expectancy, making cystic fibrosis a chronic condition requiring long-term multidisciplinary care. Consequently, oral health has gained importance, as disease manifestations and prolonged therapies may influence the oral cavity and dental management. This review aimed to analyse the available scientific evidence regarding the impact of cystic fibrosis on oral health and dental treatments. The guiding research question was: What is the impact of cystic fibrosis on the oral cavity and dental treatments?

Methodology

A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library using the keywords: cystic fibrosis, oral health, and dental treatment. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 articles were selected.

Results

Although findings remain heterogeneous, the included studies suggest that cystic fibrosis is associated with specific oral changes. In children, a lower prevalence of dental caries was frequently reported, often linked to prolonged antibiotic use. In adults, studies indicated a higher prevalence of untreated caries and poorer oral health status. Developmental enamel defects and salivary alterations were also commonly observed.

Conclusions

Cystic fibrosis may significantly affect oral health, highlighting the need for individualized dental care focused on prevention, regular monitoring, and adaptation to each patient’s specific needs.

Clinical Relevance

Individualized preventive and therapeutic strategies, regular monitoring, and integration of dental professionals into multidisciplinary teams may improve oral health outcomes, treatment adherence, and quality of life.

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Data availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RISE-Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Fernando Pessoa Teaching and Culture Foundation, Porto, Portugal

    Inês Lopes Cardoso, Maria Inês Guimarães & Fernanda Leal

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, Fernando Pessoa University, Fernando Pessoa Teaching and Culture Foundation, Porto, Portugal

    Inês Lopes Cardoso, Maria Inês Guimarães, Elisa Le Cozic & Fernanda Leal

  3. Escola de Medicina e Ciências Biomédicas (EMCB), Fernando Pessoa Teaching and Culture Foundation, Gondomar, Portugal

    Inês Lopes Cardoso

  4. INMLCF, I. P, North Delegation - National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, I. P, Porto, Portugal

    Maria Inês Guimarães

  5. CEISUC, Centre of Investigation in Technologies and Centre for Health Studies and Research of the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Inês Guimarães

  6. Centre for Inovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology, CIBB, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Inês Guimarães

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  1. Inês Lopes Cardoso
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  2. Maria Inês Guimarães
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Contributions

ILC: Validation, Supervision, Investigation, Methodology, Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing. MIG: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing. ELC: Investigation, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft. FL: Validation, Supervision, Writing – review & editing.

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Correspondence to Inês Lopes Cardoso.

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Lopes Cardoso, I., Guimarães, M.I., Cozic, E.L. et al. Cystic fibrosis and its impact on the oral cavity and dental treatments – a scoping review. Clin Oral Invest 30, 453 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-026-07137-7

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