The importance of oral hygiene for the elderly

The leading cause of death among CHLSD residents is pneumonia. This infection is linked to oral health. Pneumonia can be contracted when bacteria-laden secretions reach the lungs. Plaque is a build-up of bacteria that can be found in the mouth, on the teeth (including dentures), on the oral mucosa and under the gums. Bacteria can easily reach the respiratory tract and cause pneumonia. Studies have shown that proper dental hygiene can prevent contracting this lung-attacking disease. Approximately one in ten deaths in CHLSD residents is caused by aspiration pneumonia, which could be prevented simply by improving oral hygiene. This is where we come to realize what dentists, dental hygienists and all other health professionals agree: tooth brushing is a highly effective treatment!

|The Healthy Mouth team