Better oral hygiene could save ventilator patients' lives

One of the most frequent complications in patients in hospital intensive care units is pneumonia. Pulmonary Infection in the respiratory therapy affects not only older people but debilitated patients of all ages. In a large U.S. study, recently published in American Journal of Critical Care, researchers have studied the effect of performing extensive oral health with particular suction, cleaning and brushing twice daily on respiratory therapy.

In many cases, it is bacteria from the mouth which cause complications - and thorough oral hygiene may reduce the risk according to the study of lung inflammation and the resulting costs, writes Tandlægebladet.

Read more in Tandlægebladet No. 4 2010 or www.tandlaegebladet.dk

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1. Elderly patients with dementia suffer from poor oral hygiene
2. Fewer side effects of tooth whitening at home
3. Your dentist can detect osteoporosis
4. Bad breath is often caused by constipation
5. Younger dentists are afraid of the Province