Oral Hygiene Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Oral Hygiene, including details on dentistry, cavities, flossing, mouthwash.

Case study: Asphyxia caused by inspissated oral and nasopharyngeal secretions.

Prahlow JA, Prahlow TJ, Rakow RJ, Prahlow ND

South Bend Medical Foundation, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend at the University of Notre Dame, USA. jprahlow@sbmf.org

An institutionalized man with severe mental disability and cerebral palsy, admitted from the ED with suspected aspiration pneumonia, died after a long struggle with respiratory difficulties. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia resulting from a complete obstruction of the posterior pharynx and upper larynx by thickened oral and nasopharyngeal secretions. Although airway obstruction is common in people with motor or neurologic disorders and in those who are chronically debilitated or institutionalized, food and foreign matter are not the only culprits. This case serves to remind clinicians that a failure to provide good oral care and adequate hydration is not only poor practice but can result in death.

Published 29 May 2009 in Am J Nurs, 109(6): 38-43; quiz 51.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 29 May 2009:

Poor oral hygiene in long-term care.   Am J Nurs, 109(6): 44-50; quiz 51.

The poor oral care given to vulnerable patients in long-term care settings can have serious consequences, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and pneumonia. Nurses can take action by making sure supplies are in place, promoting oral care to all direct care staff and administrators, and making evidence-based recommendations during resident care conferences. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 14 July 2008:

Impact of toothpaste slurry abrasivity and toothbrush filament stiffness on abrasion of eroded enamel - an in vitro study.   Acta Odontol Scand, 66(4): 231-5.

OBJECTIVE: Toothbrush abrasion is significant in the development of tooth wear, particularly when combined with erosion. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the impact of toothpaste slurry abrasivity and toothbrush filament stiffness on abrasion of eroded enamel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eroded enamel samples (hydrochloric acid, pH: 2.6, 15 s) were brushed with 40 strokes in an automatic brushing machine using manual toothbrushes with different filament stiffness (filament diameter: 0.15, 0.20, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 11 June 2008:

Influence of musculoskeletal conditions on oral health among older adults.   Am J Public Health, 98(7): 1177-83.

Both musculoskeletal disorders and diseases of the oral cavity are common and potentially serious problems among older persons, yet little attention has been given to the links between them. Several musculoskeletal diseases, including osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and arthritic disorders, may directly involve the oral cavity and contiguous structures. Drugs used to treat musculoskeletal diseases, including corticosteroids and bisphosphonates, increase the risk of suppression of the immune ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 24 April 2008:

Trends over 30 years, 1973-2003, in the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease.   J Clin Periodontol, 35(5): 405-14.

AIM: The present investigation presents findings of the prevalence and distribution of gingivitis and periodontitis in a Swedish population over the 30 years 1973-2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four cross-sectional epidemiological studies in 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003 were performed in Jönköping, Sweden. Random samples of individuals aged 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 years were examined clinically and radiographically. Diagnostic criteria were edentulousness, number of teeth, plaque, gingival ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 14 April 2008:

Effect of a dental water jet with orthodontic tip on plaque and bleeding in adolescent patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.   Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 133(4): 565-71; quiz 628.e1-2.

INTRODUCTION: Effective self-care is difficult for people with orthodontic appliances because of the inherent design of brackets and archwires. It is not uncommon to have increases in plaque and gingivitis after placement of fixed appliances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using a dental water jet (DWJ) with a specialized tip (orthodontic) on plaque and bleeding in adolescent orthodontic patients with fixed appliances. METHODS: One hundred six subjects were enrolled in ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 5 February 2008:

Meta-analysis on the effectiveness of powered toothbrushes for orthodontic patients.   Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 133(2): 187.e1-14.

INTRODUCTION: Although powered toothbrushes have been recommended for gingivitis prevention in orthodontic patients, a relevant meta-analysis has been lacking. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of powered and manual toothbrushes in reducing gingival inflammation in patients having fixed orthodontic appliance therapy. METHODS: Citations of potentially relevant trials published in journals, dissertations, and conference proceedings were located by searching the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Oral Hygiene published 21 January 2008:

Oral hygiene and parent-related factors during early childhood in relation to approximal caries at 15 years of age.   Caries Res, 42(1): 28-36.

The aim was to investigate whether oral hygiene habits and parent-related factors, recorded in early childhood, have a predictive value in relation to approximal caries experience (including initial caries lesions) at the age of 15 years (n = 568). Data were selected from examinations, interviews and questionnaires at 1 and 3 years and bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Four levels of cut-off points for the statistical analysis were used: DFa = 0, > 0, > or = 4 and > or = 8. In the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

A randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of professional oral care by dental hygienists.   Int J Dent Hyg, 6(1): 63-7.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare professional oral care (POC) by a dental hygienist with tooth brushing and mouth rinsing by patients themselves according to the instructions of a nurse (control). METHODS: Forty patients were randomly assigned to either the POC group (n = 20) or control group (n = 20). The presence of plaque and bacteria was assessed clinically. RESULTS: One patient in the POC group and three patients in the control group dropped out because of exacerbation of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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