Final answer:
In children with sickle cell disease, common oral surgical issues are due to trapped red blood cells, causing inadequate oxygen perfusion and leading to potential infections and other oral health problems that might require surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The oral surgical issue common in children with sickle cell disease is related to complications from the irregular shape of their red blood cells. Sickle cell disease leads to the production of hemoglobin S, causing red blood cells to sickle, or take on a crescent shape. This sickling results in poor oxygen perfusion as well as a tendency for the cells to become trapped in small blood vessels, including those in the oral cavity, which can lead to infections and other oral health problems that might require surgical intervention.
Issues like delayed tooth eruption, ulcers, and infections can necessitate dental or oral surgical care in these patients. Maintaining diligent oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups is crucial for children with sickle cell anemia to prevent and manage such problems effectively.