Hygiene - Oral care: Nursing skills

Now, oral hygiene is essential to prevent mouth infections and bad breath. Keeping the bacteria of the mouth under control is important to prevent certain health complications like soft tissue infections in the structures of the mouth, like abscess; tooth loss that can lead to problems with eating and nutrition; or even bacterial overgrowth that can lead to damage of the heart valves. To maintain proper oral hygiene, you have to remember three basic steps: brushing, flossing, and rinsing. The frequency of oral hygiene depends on the individual's condition and comfort level, but it’s typically performed in the morning, after meals, and before bed. Clients who are unable to take food and fluids by mouth, like those who are unconscious, will require oral hygiene every 1 or 2 hours to keep their mouths fresh.

Before we continue, there are several important definitions that you should know. Halitosis refers to a chronic bad breath which can be the result of poor oral hygiene or an underlying health problem. Dental plaques are films of saliva and microbes that stick to the teeth and can lead to tartar which are crusty deposits. Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, is damage caused by acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. Stomatitis refers to any inflammation that affects mucous membranes of the mouth and lips. Next up is gingivitis which is non-destructive inflammation of the gingiva, or gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis which is a severe inflammation of the supporting structures of teeth, including soft tissue and bones. Moreover, in people over the age of 35, periodontitis is the main cause of tooth loss. If a person has lost a tooth, they can replace it with a prosthetic tooth which is also known as a dental implant. On the other hand, dentures are removable replacements of the missing teeth and surrounding tissue which allow people to chew food normally. When a person has no natural teeth left, it’s called edentulous.