Brushing teeth daily helps reduce deadly pneumonia infections in ICU

February 4, 2024

BASIC hygiene could be a LIFE SAVER during a hospital stay

It’s a trick to SURVIVING your hospital stay that sounds so OBVIOUS… it’s bizarre we even have to talk about it!

But given how many folks get ROLLED through those doors… and NEVER come back out alive…

I suppose we’re due for a REMINDER of the basic principles of health and hygiene. 

Because one of the DEADLIEST infections that patients tend to catch while hospitalized could be kept at bay…

By maintaining one incredibly simple daily habit. 

I’m talking about brushing your teeth. 

According to a recent review of several studies, the humble toothbrush could be a MASSIVE weapon against hospital-acquired pneumonia. 

Harvard researchers found that toothbrushing could SLASH the incidence of this deadly infection by as much as A THIRD. 

That number is HUGE… 

Because by one estimate, unbrushed teeth could lead to HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of pneumonia cases a year!

Remember, your mouth is FULL of bacteria… and often the same “bugs” could travel from your oral cavity INTO your lungs. 

That means you could STOP pneumonia before it starts… while keeping cavities at bay and keeping your gums healthy, too!

But that’s not all.

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In the study, toothbrushing ALSO helped SLAM the brakes on the need for mechanical ventilation... which too often LEADS to pneumonia!

And for patients who needed to go on a ventilator, daily brushing also helped SHORTEN the time they needed to STAY on it.  

There’s something else… and this one is a DOOZY. 

Because getting your teeth brushed… ideally, TWICE a day… could keep you from DYING in the ICU. 

We’re not talking about PROFESSIONAL dental cleanings… or using any equipment other than regular ol’ Oral B.

Which means if a loved one is in the hospital… you could LITERALLY save their life just by giving their teeth a good old-fashioned scrubbing!

And if you’re the one in the hospital… well, just make sure you’ve got somebody armed with a toothbrush and some toothpaste (although baking soda and water will work in a pinch). 

Because if you’re bedridden… you may not be able to brush your OWN teeth… and you’re going to need a little help. 

Fortunately, daily toothbrushing has been part of the official guidelines for preventing hospital-acquired pneumonia since October 2022…

When experts realized it was a MUCH better option than the previously-recommended oral rinse (which had been known to cause side effects in some patients). 

But don’t count on toothbrushing being treated as a priority in the ICU. It’s something that’s far too easily OVERLOOKED. 

You may have to take matters into your own hands… whether the hospitalized patient is you OR a loved one. 

And that may mean bring your own oral care supplies, too. 

So, make a toothbrush and toothpaste part of your “go bag” for any hospital stay… whether an expected one or a surprise visit. 

For better health,

Dr. Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D.

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