ABSTRACT
Cleft lip and palate are the most common craniofacial malformations in humans. The rehabilitation treatment of these anomalies starts early and requires in most cases the performance of surgical procedures. It is essential in this context the maintenance of proper oral hygiene, because larger amounts sites for colonization of microorganisms, so as to promote a greater predisposition for the occurrence of infections such as acute pseudomembranous candidiasis. This fungal disease occurs in children mainly due to immunological immaturity and deficiency of proper oral hygiene. In turn, maintaining oral hygiene of children with clefts often is neglected, whether by fear and / or difficulties of parents and/or caregivers for their realization, especially in postoperative periods. Furthermore, the use of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and frequent use of antibiotics for the treatment of recurrent otitis together with a diet sometimes different, are feasible factors for major modifications in the balance of the gastrointestinal microbiota resulting in immunomodulation losses in this group of individuals. Therefore during the postoperative periods, intuitively there is a greater predisposition to possible episodes by Candida infection. The oral hygiene preventive maneuvers should be strengthened and initiated during infancy even before the eruption of the first deciduous tooth and must include specific measures to prevent this infectious fungal disease.
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