Association Between Pneumonia and Oral Care in Nursing Home Residents

Overview

Journal Lung

Specialty Pulmonary Medicine

Date 2011 May 3

PMID 21533635

Citations 32

Authors

Ali A El-Solh

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death in nursing home residents. The accumulation of dental plaque and colonization of oral surfaces and dentures with respiratory pathogens serves as a reservoir for recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Control of gingivitis and dental plaques has been effective in reducing the rate of pneumonia but the provision of dental care for institutionalized elderly is inadequate, with treatment often sought only when patients experience pain or denture problems. Direct mechanical cleaning is thwarted by the lack of adequate training of nursing staff and residents' uncooperativeness. Chlorhexidine-based interventions are advocated as alternative methods for managing the oral health of frail older people; however, efficacy is yet to be demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. Development and maintenance of an oral hygiene program is a critical step in the prevention of pneumonia. While resources may be limited in long-term-care facilities, incorporating oral care in daily routine practice helps to reduce systemic diseases and to promote overall quality of life in nursing home residents.

Citing Articles

Impaired oral health: a required companion of bacterial aspiration pneumonia.

Ashford J Front Rehabil Sci. 2024; 5:1337920.

PMID: 38894716 PMC: 11183832. DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2024.1337920.

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and confidence of caregivers and administrators towards the oral health of nursing home residents in San Antonio, Texas.

Dumbuya J, Marwaha R, Shah P, Challa S BMC Geriatr. 2024; 24(1):511.

PMID: 38867158 PMC: 11167851. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-04784-x.

Attachment of Respiratory Pathogens and to Denture Base Materials-A Pilot Study.

Schmutzler A, Stingu C, Gunther E, Lang R, Fuchs F, Koenig A J Clin Med. 2023; 12(19).

PMID: 37834772 PMC: 10573319. DOI: 10.3390/jcm12196127.

Design and Initial Evaluation of a Novel Oral Hygiene Technology for a Special Needs Population: A New Way to Clean.

Strickland M, Mills S, Dasari B, Markowitz K, Cugini C Dent J (Basel). 2023; 11(9).

PMID: 37754344 PMC: 10528828. DOI: 10.3390/dj11090224.

Could oral hygiene prevent cases of at-home-acquired Legionnaires' disease? - Results of a comprehensive case-control study on infection sources, risk, and protective behaviors.

Lehfeld A, Reber F, Lewandowsky M, Jahn H, Luck C, Petzold M Front Microbiol. 2023; 14:1199572.

PMID: 37396377 PMC: 10311500. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1199572.

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