Impact of oral care in dealing with health care issues such as COPD and Pneumonia, reduce hospital readmission due to these medical issues and help the patients and hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers etc.

1. IMPORTANCE OF ORAL
CARE for decreasing pulmonary
disease
Dr. Saroj Gupta

2. 1) Why is it important for patients with COPD and
PNA to have good oral care?
The mouth contains a mixture of bacteria that is normally harmless, but
mouth bacteria can be carried into the lung and cause infection
The lack of oral hygiene results in an increase in both the amount and
complexity of dental plaque which may contain bacteria responsible for
chest infections
Dental plaque, to a lesser extent, also builds up on the tongue and
gums, and the bacteria are carried in saliva
Poor oral hygiene has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory
infection in high-risk groups

3. 1) Why is it important for patients with
COPD and PNA to have good oral care?

4. 2) How do we provide good oral care for
patients?
A. How often?

Clean teeth regularly e.g. at least twice daily. Arrange
regular dental check-ups every 6months. Dentures
reviewed every 2 years.

If using inhaled steroids, use a spacer, rinse out mouth
with cold water, and spit after use (to reduce build-up of
steroid in mouth cavity). Use spacer when using inhaled
steroids via metered dose inhaler.

5. 2) How do we provide good oral care for
patients?
B. What needs attention?
Dental
plaque, to a lesser extent, also builds up on the
tongue and gums, and the bacteria are carried in saliva.

6. 2) How do we provide good oral care for
patients?
C. What type of instruments should we use for
cleaning mouth and dentures?
 Patients with teeth:
 Tooth brush
 Water
 Wash cloth or paper towel
 Kidney tray
 Tooth paste

7. 2) How do we provide good oral care for
patients?
Don’t use toothpaste in nursing home
patients :
 Foams –
saliva,
 Strong taste
 Uncooperative
 Dysphagia
 Messy


8. 2) How do we provide good oral care for
patients?
With dentures:
 Denture brush
 Soak dentures in lukewarm water every
night
 Clean gums and palate properly after
every meal.

9. 3) How to do quick exam? What are we
looking for?
a) Check gums, make sure gums are
healthy and pink in color.
 b) Check tongue. Dirty tongue means
plaque accumulation
 c) Check all the teeth the mouth. Check for
calculus and plaque
 d) Check for decay tooth. Caries teeth can
play a big role in causing aspiration PNA


10. 3) How to do quick exam? What are we
looking for?

11. 4) What are some signs to alert us that a
patient is at risk for aspiration?

Pneumonia is the fifth leading cause of death at
the age of 65 and it becomes the third leading
cause of death in those over 85.

Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling
foreign material (usually food, liquids, vomit, or
secretions from the mouth) into the lower
airways and causes inflammation of the lungs
and bronchial tubes.

12. 4) What are some signs to alert us that a
patient is at risk for aspiration?

Sudden appearance of respiratory symptoms (such as
severe coughing or cyanosis) associated with eating,
drinking, or regurgitation of gastric contents.

A voice change after swallowing such as hoarseness or
gurgling noise. Small-volume aspiration is common and
are often produces no overt symptoms until the condition
progresses to aspiration pneumonia.

The oral cavity is a portal of entry as well as the site of
disease for microbial infections that affect general health
status.

13. 5) What educational opportunities are
coming that address oral care?

On June 6th 2014 JCCC is offering a CE
course

HEALTHY SMILE = HEALTHY LIFE

ENSURING THAT OLDER ADULTS
MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HEALTH: AN
ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT FOR ENJOYING A
HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE