Dental Care For ICU Patients Lowers Infection Risk

Dental Health / September 27, 2019 by backup

Today, the  team at Advanced Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry in Seattle would like to focus on an article that appeared in ScienceDaily.com. The article describes a study of Brazilian ICU patients that compared infection rates of those who received enhanced oral care instead of routine oral care. The patients who received the more intense dental care were 56 percent less likelyto develop a respiratory infection during their stay.

“Bacteria causing healthcare-associated infections often start in the oral cavity,” said Fernando Bellissimo-Rodrigues, MD, lead author of the study. “This study suggests that having a dentist provide weekly care as part the ICU team may improve outcomes for vulnerable patients in this setting.”¹

If a member of your family has serious health issues, you may want to talk to their doctor about the oral health implications of their condition. In unfortunate cases where one of my patients experiences severe health issues, I am happy to work with their medical team to ensure that their dental health is not compromised. Even some managable chronic conditions can require more frequent exams and cleanings.

Though this study pertains to ICU patients, it is also a reminder to all of us. Receiving consistent quality dental care and practicing proper daily oral hygiene is critical for everyone.

If you are looking for an experienced dentist, call Advanced Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry to schedule an exam and consultation. We serve patients in the Seattle, Edmonds and Des Moines WA area. Our services include general dentistry, sedation dentistry, dental implants, and cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Advanced Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry:

206-381-3055

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

600 Broadway Ste 600
Seattle, WA
98122