Oral Health and Care in the Intensive Care Unit: State of the Science

• DOI: 10.4037/ajcc2004.13.1.25
• Publication Date: 2019-11-25T18:17:46Z
• Authors: Cindy L. Munro; Mary Jo Grap
• Keywords: Ventilator-associated Pneumonia; Oral microbiology

Oral health is influenced by oral microbial flora, which are concentrated in dental plaque. Dental plaque provides a microhabitat for organisms and an opportunity adherence of the to either tooth surface or other microorganisms. In critically ill patients, potential pathogens can be cultured from cavity. These microorganisms mouth translocate colonize lung, resulting ventilator-associated pneumonia. The importance care intensive unit has been noted literature, but little research available on mechanical pharmacological approaches reducing flora via adults. Most directed toward patients' comfort; microbiological physiological effects brushing have not reported. Although 2 studies indicated reductions rates pneumonia cardiac surgery patients who received chlorhexidine before intubation postoperatively, populations its effect when treatment with agent initiated after addition, no evaluation effectiveness interventions relative each combination published. Additional needed develop test best practices patients.