The importance of dental or oral care is not a secret. This importance increases manyfold when it comes to mechanical ventilated patients. Mouth is the entering way of food, air and in case of ventilated patient medical supplies and so to the life-threatening infections like VAP. Moreover, teeth and gums of the patients are also on risk when he is not taking enough nutrition or performing dental movement like chewing food. This is the reason; oral hygiene of ventilator dependent patients is never compromised rather considered a must part of the treatment.
Let’s check out some common practices in use to provide proper dental care to patients dependent on ventilators but first explore why it is important.
Importance of Dental Care For A Ventilated Patient
Teeth and gum health plays a vital role in overall health of patients. It not only keeps them fresh but also blocks the way of infections causing damage to teeth and gums. It may seem unusual however it is seen that in ventilated patients proper oral care also results in enhanced psychological comfort as it boosts sense of dignity and overall well-being.
Here is a list of some benefits that ventilated patients can get if provided with proper dental care.
- Ventilated patient with compromised dental care can suffer from different gum diseases making recovery process difficult and proper oral care can reduce this likelihood.
- Dental care prevents the risk of vital infections including VAP.
- It may minimize the risk of bacterial colonization inside mouth due to decreased saliva production.
- The ventilated patient feels physical as well psychological comfort.
- Dental care can prevent the growth of mouth ulcers.
Dental Care for Patients on Ventilator
Proper dental care if overlooked, can block the way of fast recovery of ventilated dependent patients. Moreover, it can result in other severe health complications and painful sufferings like ventilated associated pneumonia, mouth ulcers, tooth decay and gum infections. Understanding the need of proper dental care, healthcare providers consider it a crucial part of treatment and so do exercise special measures to ensure oral hygiene of the patients.
Here is a checklist that every healthcare provider follows in case of ventilated patients irrespective of patient’s condition and severity of illness.
- Access oral cavity and go for dental checkup on regular basis.
- Arrange suction of possible secretions inside mouth thrice a day to avoid bacteria formation and damage to teeth and gums.
- Use suction toothbrush regularly to brush the teeth of patient to prevent tooth decay and gums infection.
- Gently brush in small and circular motions covering all sides for up to 2 minutes using little amount of water.
- Make brush strokes gently to avoid damage to gum surface and bleeding.
- Clean patient’s tongue as well while softly brushing or using tongue scraper.
- In case brushing results in discomfort, use of suction swab is preferable.
- Lubricate oral cavity of the patient with oral moisturizers or use mouthwash for an added benefit.
- Use of lip balm can also be added to dental care as chapped lips can result in infections that can invade oral cavity.
In a nutshell, dental care is more crucial for ventilated patients than a healthy person. It not only helps in blocking the way of health complications and germ invasion but also ensures patient’s physical and mental comfort, promotes overall well-being and speeds up the process of recovery of patients on ventilated patients.
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