Clinical research consistently confirms that comprehensive oral hygiene is a vital pillar of systemic health and longevity for seniors. Medical studies demonstrate that professional mechanical oral care reduces the risk of life-threatening aspiration pneumonia in long-term care residents by up to 57% while dramatically curbing the systemic inflammation that accelerates cognitive decline. These curated studies outline the peer-reviewed evidence, driving the specialized on-site program that Tender Touch Oral Healthcare provides.
https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/50/1/81/5868064?utm_source=chatgpt.com&login=false
Findings: Aspiration-pneumonia increases hospitalization and mortality of older people in residential aged care. Three intervention studies found that weekly professional oral care reduced aspiration-pneumonia risk. The authors concluded that professional weekly oral hygiene could decrease potentially pathogenic oral microorganisms and reduce aspiration-pneumonia risk.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10662425/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Premise: Nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) is the leading cause of mortality among residents in long-term care communities. Aspiration pneumonia is one cause of nursing home acquired pneumonia.
Findings: Dental hygienists can provide clinically effective onsite oral health care, once per week, and caregiver/healthcare aids can provide mouth care twice per day, to reduce the risk of oral and lung infection among all dependent long-term care residents. It was determined that removal of bacterial plaque and debris from residents’ teeth, gums and dentures can reduce oral infections and related pneumonia/aspiration pneumonia.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22390255
Findings: Five publications were included and reviewed. Two studies showed improved oral health care diminished risk of developing aspiration pneumonia and the risk of dying from aspiration pneumonia directly. Three studies showed adequate oral health care decreased the amount of potential respiratory pathogens and suggested a reduction in the risk of aspiration pneumonia by improving swallowing reflex and cough reflex sensitivity.
This current systematic literature review defined oral health care: “toothbrushing after each meal, cleaning dentures daily and professional oral health care once a week”.
Premise: The study involved 417 nursing-home residents, toothbrushing daily by caregivers and professional toothbrushing, flossing care by dentists or dental hygienists once a week.
Findings: Follow-up demonstrated that pneumonia, febrile days, and death from pneumonia decreased significantly in patients with oral care. Activities of daily living, and cognitive functions showed a tendency to improve with increased oral care.
