Respiratory disease and the role of oral bacteria

The relationship between oral health and systemic conditions, including the association between poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, and respiratory disease, has been increasingly debated over recent decades. A considerable number of hypotheses have sought to explain the possible role of oral bacteria in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases, and some clinical and epidemiological studies have found results favoring such an association. This review discusses the effect of oral bacteria on respiratory disease, briefly introduces the putative biological mechanisms involved, and the main factors that could contribute to this relationship. It also describes the role of oral care for individuals who are vulnerable to respiratory infections

Higiene bucal: prática relevante na prevenção de pneumonia hospitalar em pacientes em estado crítico Higiene bucal: práctica relevante en la prevención de neumonía hospitalaria en pacientes en estado crítico Oral hygiene: a relevant practice to prevent hospital pneumonia in critically ill patients

Este artigo objetivou atualizar o conhecimento a respeito dos aspectos microbiológicos da cavidade oral e sua relação com a higiene bucal na prevenção da pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica. Estudos analisados têm sido favoráveis ao uso de antissépticos para descontaminação da orofaringe, embora ainda não exista uma padronização de condutas a respeito da técnica e produtos.<br>Este artículo tuvo por objetivo actualizar el conocimiento sobre aspectos microbiológicos de la cavidad oral y verificar la relación de la higiene bucal con la prevención de la neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica. Los estudios analizados se han mostrado favorables al uso de antisépticos para descontaminar la cavidad oral y la faringe, a pesar de que todavía no existe una estandarización de conductas sobre la técnica y de los productos utilizados en ese proceso.<br>The objective of this article was to update knowledge on the microbiological aspects of the oral cavity and, verify the relation of oral hygiene with the prevention of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation. The studies analyzed were in favor of the use of antiseptics for decontaminating the oral cavity and pharynx, although there is still no standardization of procedures on the technique and products used in this process