Oral Conditions

Oral Conditions

Introduction

Oral Conditions

Oral hygiene, also known as dental hygiene, is an umbrella term used to refer to a range of activities involved in keeping the oral cavity clean and free of disease, and preventing the development of aspiration pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP; i.e., a highly lethal healthcare-associated type of pneumonia that occurs in people who are undergoing mechanical ventilation. For more information regarding oral care in general, see Evidence-Based Care Sheet: Oral Care of the Hospitalized Patient.

Oral hygiene promotes oral and overall health and patient comfort. Assistance with or provision of oral hygiene is necessary in the healthcare ...