Daily Toothbrushing Linked to Reduced Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Risk

A recent systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers from the Department of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, along with collaborators from the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology at University Hospital Basel, sought to investigate the association between daily toothbrushing and the incidence of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). 

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed data from 15 randomized clinical trials involving a total of 10,742 patients.

Lower Incidence of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia

The findings of the analysis revealed a significant correlation between daily toothbrushing and reduced rates of HAP, particularly among patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation. Lead author Selina Ehrenzeller, MD, highlighted the importance of these results, stating, “Toothbrushing was associated with significantly lower risk for HAP and ICU mortality.”

Toothbrushing Linked to Significant Reduction in Mortality Rates Among Hospitalized Patients

Moreover, the study found that daily toothbrushing was linked to other positive outcomes, including shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and shorter lengths of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). Co-author Michael Klompas, MD, MPH, emphasized, “Brushing twice a day vs more frequent intervals was associated with similar effect estimates.”

Implications for Healthcare Practices

These findings underscore the potential benefits of implementing toothbrushing as a routine oral care practice for hospitalized patients, especially those at higher risk of developing pneumonia during their hospital stay. The authors suggest that policies and programs aimed at promoting consistent toothbrushing among patients could contribute to reducing the incidence of HAP and improving patient outcomes.

This comprehensive review provides valuable insights into the role of daily toothbrushing in preventing HAP and enhancing the overall well-being of hospitalized individuals. Further research and initiatives are warranted to support the integration of toothbrushing into standard care protocols, with the aim of mitigating the burden of hospital-acquired infections and improving patient health outcomes.

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